ANTIPHYTOVIRAL EFFECTS OF THREE DIFFERENT ESSENTIAL OILS ON TOBACCO MOSAIC VIRUS
UDK 665.52:635.7]:632.38 632.38:633.71 Numerous studies have found that essential oils have significant inhibitory activity against human viruses, but there is scarce information on the effects of essential oils on plant viruses. In this study, effects of cajuput (Melaleuca leucadendron (L.) L.), common myrtus (Myrtus communis L.) and winter savory (Satureja montana L.) essential oils were assayed against Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) by inoculation in different plant host systems. Antiphytoviral activity of the essential oils was determined by the half-leaf method using test plants: Chenopodium quinoa Willd., Cucumis sativus L. 'Cornishon' and Phaseolus vulgaris L. 'Top Crop'. Results showed that investigated oils posess strong antiviral activities. Among tested oils, the highest and broadest acitivity was shown by winter savory essential oil. Evidence suggests that investigated essential oils are possible antiphytoviral agents.