Inhibitory effect of cinnamon (Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham.) T.Nees Eberm.) essential oil and its aldehyde constituents on growth and spore germination of phytopathogenic fungi

Plant pathogens lead to severe damage of the agricultural crops, worldwide. The disease management is currently being done by the synthetic chemicals. In the present report, Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham.) T. Nees Eberm. oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-FID and GC/MS, which revealed (E)-cinnamaldehyde (40.6%), (E)-cinnamyl acetate (19.6%), linalool (10.2%) and benzaldehyde (3.6%) as marker constituents. Contact, volatile and spore germination inhibition assays were performed to determine the antifungal activities of Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham.) T.Nees Eberm. against Rhizoctonia solani AG 4, Choanephora cucurbitarum and Bipolaris australiensis. C. tamala oil showed complete fungal growth inhibition in poison food technique over concentration range of 500-560 ppm. Solidphase microextraction analysis of drop diffusion assay revealed the presence of benzaldehyde in headspace of Petri-plate, and found to be one of the strongest antifungal compounds against tested phytopathogens. Similarly, an oil concentration of 500 ppm inhibits spore germination. Therefore, products containing such compositions can be used for the plant diseases management.