Karakus, Sinem; Akdura, Nevin; Culal-Kılıc, Handan

The exploration of natural antiviral agents, such as essential oils, is a critical area of research, offering promising alternatives for sustainable plant disease management and contributing to global agricultural resilience. In this regard, the present study investigated the antiviral efficacy of thymol, eugenol, and 1,8-cineol essential oils (EOs) against cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) in vivo. It focused on assessing the capability of these EOs, particularly at a concentration of 500 ppm, in both prophylactic and therapeutic contexts for plant health, particularly when applied prior to or concurrently with viral infection. The evaluation involved measuring a range of parameters, including local lesions of CMV on cucumber plants, symptom index, leaf width, plant height, and virus accumulation. Our findings demonstrated that thymol was significantly effective in mitigating CMV infection. Both eugenol and 1,8-cineole oils also showed efficacy in reducing local lesions when applied to host plants alongside the infecting virus. Based on our results, the essential oils exhibited substantial protective and curative effects against CMV, with the preventative (pre-inoculation) application proving more effective. In conclusion, this study highlights the potent antiviral activity of thymol, eugenol, and 1,8-cineole EOs against CMV, presenting them as viable alternative strategies for combating viral diseases in plants. In addition, our findings not only advance our understanding of plant-virus interactions, but also pave the way for more eco-friendly and effective agricultural practices, crucial in the face of escalating plant disease challenges worldwide.