Antifungal Activity of Thyme Extract on Cotton Rhizoctonia solani

doi:10.16409/j.cnki.2095-039x.2026.02.047

Abstract

Abstract: This study investigated the antifungal activity and action mode of thyme extract against the cotton damping-off pathogen R. solani. Thyme extract showed a concentration-dependent inhibitory activity against R. solani(EC₂₅=8.57 mg/mL, EC₅₀=14.44 mg/mL, EC₇₅=22.67 mg/mL). The dry weight of mycelia from R. solani treated with thymus extract decreased by 44.07%—89.83% compared to that of the control group. Meanwhile, sclerotial yield was reduced by 19.75%—87.36%, and sclerotial germination rate declined by 18.67%—81.33%. Scanning electron microscopy observation revealed thyme extract treatment severely compromised hyphae morphology causing varying degrees of shrinkage, distortion, and fragmentation. Propidium iodide（PI） staining indicated that thyme extract significantly increased hyphal cell membrane permeability, leading to decreased extracellular pH, elevated electrical conductivity, and a surge in extracellular protein and nucleic acid content. Additionally, ergosterol（a key membrane component） content decreased by 16.12%—34.60%. Soluble protein and soluble sugar contents in hyphae were reduced by 16.46%—47.88% and 15.79%—37.65%, respectively. The above results indicate that thyme extract can inhibit the mycelial growth and sclerotial germination of R. solani, disrupt the integrity and permeability of the cell membrane, and exert its antifungal activity by interfering with ergosterol synthesis on the cell membrane. This study provides a theoretical basis for the screening of biocontrol agents against cotton damping-off disease.

Key words: cotton, thyme, plant extract, Rhizoctonia solani, antifungal activity

CLC Number:

S476

WANG Pengcheng, GONG Jingyun, LIANG Jing, ZHOU Xiaoyun, HU Linfeng, NING Ruiming, YAN Bin, LEI Bin, ZHANG Yigong. Antifungal Activity of Thyme Extract on Cotton Rhizoctonia solani[J]. Chinese Journal of Biological Control, 2026, 42(4): 958-968.

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