Investigation of the effects of different concentrations of thyme (Zataria mulltiora) extract on three species of edible mushrooms and their fungal pathogens

Articles in Press

Document Type : Short Article

Authors

1 Ph. D Graduated Student in Plant Pathology, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Plant Production, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.

2 Associated Professor, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Plant Production, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.

3 M. Sc. Center Laboratory, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.

10.22092/bcpp.2026.371503.406

Abstract

Today, many studies have been conducted on the antimicrobial properties of edible coatings. Many flavonoids and plant extracts found in plants have antimicrobial properties. Zataria multiflora extract plays a crucial role in inhibiting factors that cause decay and extending the shelf life of food. Various pests and diseases are the most important factors limiting the cultivation and breeding of edible mushrooms, and among them, fungal diseases are one of the most important and serious problems in the cultivation of edible mushrooms that affect their yield and quality. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of different concentrations of thyme extract on pathogens isolated from button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus). Therefore, in order to identify fungal pathogens, sampling was carried out in the fall of 2021 from edible mushroom cultivation halls in the eastern counties of Golestan province and its suburbs. Also, in the present study, five different concentrations of thyme (82.5, 125, 187.5, 200, and 300 ppm) were tested in vitro on four pathogenic fungi isolated from button mushrooms, as well as two species of edible oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus eryngii and P. florida) and one species of edible button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus). Thyme was obtained from the Gorgan Essential Oil Pharmaceutical Company and then extracted using an ethanol/water solvent (75 parts alcohol and 25 parts water). In this study, the antimicrobial test was performed by creating wells in the culture medium, and 0.125 ml of thyme extract with the studied concentrations was added to the wells. In laboratory conditions, the colony diameter index (radial growth) of pathogenic and edible fungi and the percentage of inhibition of the growth of the desired fungi by thyme extracts were investigated. In this study, the results of pathogen identification showed that Mycogon perniciosa, Trichoderma harzianum and T. vierens, Cephalosporium costantini, and Alternaria alternata species were the pathogens of edible mushroom production halls in the eastern counties of Golestan province. Also, the results of pathogen inhibition using different concentrations of thyme extract showed that a concentration of 200 ppm of thyme extract caused a decrease of about 10, 9, and 27 percent in the colony growth of pathogenic fungi Trichoderma harzianum, Alternaria alternata, and Cephalosporium costantini, respectively. In this study, thyme extract acted selectively in inhibiting the growth and did not affect the mycelium growth of the edible mushrooms A. bisporus, P. florida, and P. eryngii.

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Main Subjects

References

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BioControl in Plant Protection

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 14 February 2026

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