Cinnamon powder: an in vitro and in vivo evaluation of antifungal and plant growth promoting activity

Abstract

In this study, the effects of organic powder of Cinnamomum zeylanicum on the development of Botrytis cinerea and its influence on tomato plants were evaluated. The cinnamon bark powder and its water suspensions and filtrates were used at 0.5 and 1% rates. After 6 days of the start of an in vitro experiment the mycelium growth was inhibited by both 0.5 and 1% cinnamon water filtrates-to a greater degree in the case of the higher concentration, by 54.4 and 81.4%, respectively. Spraying with cinnamon water filtrates positively influenced the growth of plants both in the greenhouse and the field. Antifungal activity of cinnamon was proved in the greenhouse tests-the disease symptoms of grey mould on infected tomato plants decreased. The fresh weight of non-inoculated tomato plants treated with cinnamon filtrates was significantly higher than control plants (17.17 g compared to 12.83 g) showing a stimulating effect of cinnamon filtrates. In the case of inoculated plants due to treatment, their weight increased from 7.83 to 10.50 g. In the field experiment, tomato plants sprayed six times with cinnamon were better developed than the control plants. The most significant effect was observed for Hamlet variety-the mean number of leaves was higher by 27.3% and the mean number of branches by 19.7% compared to the untreated control plants. Thus it was proved that cinnamon powder has potential to inhibit B. cinerea growth and also has a stimulating effect for tomato plants.

The Concentration-Dependent Effects of Essential Oils on the Growth of Fusarium graminearum and Mycotoxins Biosynthesis in Wheat and Maize Grain

“…The antifungal properties of cinnamon EOs have been reported as effective against pathogenic Fusarium culmorum and Fusarium verticillioides [22], Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium moniliforme [41], and Villosiclava virens. Additionally, cinnamon water filtrate has been tested as an antifungal Botrytis cinerea agent [42], and cinnamon oil nanoemulsion has been reported to have an inhibitory effect on the mycelial growth of Aspergillus niger [43]. Lemon verbena is a perennial flowering plant of the verbena family (Verbenaceae).…”

Profiling of Antifungal Activities and In Silico Studies of Natural Polyphenols from Some Plants

“…A recent report has documented the antifungal efficacy of C. zeylanicum bark powder, its water suspensions, and its essential oils against Fusarium oxysporum . [ 20 ]. The C. zeylanicum methanol, n -hexane, and aqueous extracts are also reported to exhibit inhibitory effects against Alternaria solani [ 21 ].…”

Cinnamon as a Useful Preventive Substance for the Care of Human and Plant Health

“…The influence of C. zeylanicum organic powder on the growth of B. cinerea and its effect on tomato plants have also been assessed. Cinnamon bark powder and also its water suspensions and filtrates controlled B. cinerea; moreover, tomato plants sprayed with cinnamon developed better than the control plants [35].…”