Monitoring Antifungal Agents of Artemisia annua against Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium solani, Associated with Panax notoginseng Root-Rot Disease

Abstract

Root rot of <i>Panax notoginseng</i> has received great attention due to its threat on the plantation and sustainable utilization of <i>P</i>. <i>notoginseng</i>. To suppress the root-rot disease, natural ingredients are of great importance because of their environment friendly properties. In this study, we found that the methanol extract from <i>Artemisia annua</i> leaves has strong antifungal effects on the growth of <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i> and <i>Fusarium solani</i> resulting into root-rot disease. Essential oil (EO) thereof was found to be the most active. GC-MS analysis revealed 58 ingredients and camphor, camphene, <i>β</i>-caryophyllene, and germacrene D were identified as the major ingredients. Further antifungal assays showed that the main compounds exhibit various degrees of inhibition against all the fungi tested. In addition, synergistic effects between <i>A</i>. <i>annua</i> EO and chemical fungicides were examined. Finally, in vivo experiments were conducted and disclosed that <i>P. notoginseng</i> root rot could be largely inhibited by the petroleum ether extract from <i>A</i>. <i>annua</i>, indicating that <i>A. annua</i> could be a good source for controlling <i>P. notoginseng</i> root-rot.