Characterization of Thyme and Tansy Extracts Used as Basic Substances in Zucchini Crop Protection

Abstract

Bio-sourced substances used for crop protection in natural and organic farming have a positive impact both on human and environment health: plant extracts are effective to stimulate plant defense against pests and diseases, with no toxic effect and they could be classified as basic substances. The chemical characterization of thyme and tansy extracts were carried out with ICP and NMR techniques for the analysis of elemental content and organic components. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH method. Phytostimulant effects of extracts were evaluated on zucchini crop in a preliminary field test. Vegetative plant conditions were assessed by measuring the chlorophyll content. The 1% extracts were chosen for field trial because of their maximum antioxidant activity (over 80%) and their cheapness compared to 2% concentration. NMR showed that the spectrum of tansy highlighted the phenolic fraction in 6-9 ppm region and, in particular, at 5.9 ppm the signals of thymol, a peculiar antioxidant compound; while the spectrum of thyme is less significant. The field trial results showed a higher fruit yield and a positive effect on plant growth in treated plants respect to control ones, due to the composition and antioxidant activity of both plant extracts. In fact, thyme extract treated plants showed a yield equal to 6,4 kg per plant, higher than no treated ones, 5,1 kg per plant; also tansy extract induced a higher yield respect to control plant, respectively 5,6 and 3,9 kg per plant. The results obtained indicate the role of the extracts investigated as basic substances.

Innovative fertilizers with added plant extracts in the cultivation of Valeriana officinalis and Raphanus sativus and in the control of Botrytis and powdery mildew

“…The biological properties of aromatic plants and medicinal plants rich in essential oils include biostimulant properties [47]. In particular, rosemary [47,48], eucalyptus [48], thyme [49,50] and tansy [50] are the most popular herbs. Among the essential oils extracted from rosemary and eucalyptus are 1,8-cineole, which has antibacterial, antifungal, herbicidal, and insecticidal properties [48].…”

Plant extracts - importance in sustainable agriculture

“…Aromatic plants and medicinal plants rich in essential oils are known to have a wide range of biological activities including biostimulant properties (Souri and Bakhtiarizade, 2019). Among them, the most popular are rosemary (Souri and Bakhtiarizade, 2019;Chrysargyris et al, 2020), eucalyptus (Chrysargyris et al, 2020), thyme (Ben-Jabeur et al, 2019;Beni et al, 2020), tansy (Beni et al, 2020). Essential oils extracted from rosemary or eucalyptus contain 1,8-cineole, which is known to possess antibacterial, antifungal, herbicidal, and insecticidal properties (Chrysargyris et al, 2020).…”

“…Essential oils contain a mixture of compounds, specific for each plant, which includes, among others: aldehydes, alkaloids, carotenoids, flavonoids, isoflavones, monoterpenes, phenolic acids, and oxygen-containing, and non-oxygenated terpene hydrocarbons (Zanellato et al, 2009;Fierascu et al, 2020;Ni et al, 2021). Essential oils extracted from aromatic plants can be used not only as sprays, fumigants, or granular formulations but also for seeds coating (Benvenuti et al, 2017;Beni et al, 2020). Ben-Jabeur et al (2019) showed that seed treatment with thyme oils can improve the plant's water and nutrient status and can enhance drought resistance.…”

“…Ben-Jabeur et al (2019) showed that seed treatment with thyme oils can improve the plant's water and nutrient status and can enhance drought resistance. Some plants like thyme and tansy due to the strong antioxidant properties (high polyphenols content) show not only biostimulant effect on plant growth and fruit production, but can also be used in the integrated crop protection (Beni et al, 2020).…”

An Investigation of the Correlation of Antibacterial Activity of Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) with its Nutrient Elements

“…Similarly, thyme extract was shown to be utilized for crop protection of zucchini an alternative to chemical pesticides. The field trials revealed that thyme extract could be used as phyto-stimulant and plant strengthening hence increased crop yield [8].…”