1Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
2Biotechnology Research Center, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
3Department of Biology, Al-Farabi University College, Baghdad, Iraq
*Corresponding Author: Rouya Mohammed Ahmed, Department of Biotechnology, College of science, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq, Email: amenah.r@sc.uobaghdad.edu.iq
Online published on 6 February, 2026.
Fusarium oxysporum is a soil-borne pathogen and a very common cause of tomato root rot. This pathogen infects the plant's vascular system, contributing to wilting, stunted growth and stunted growth.
The determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of clove extract against Fusarium oxysporum was used to assess test its antimicrobial activity. The results indicated that the clove extract was effective at low concentrations, inhibiting the growth of a significant proportion of fungal isolates. However, higher concentrations showed a low inhibitory effect. Although these concentrations were sufficient to inhibit growth, they did not lead to complete cell death. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find alternative solutions to combat Fusarium wilt in tomato plants. Clove oil, extracted from the buds of the aromatic Syzygium tree, is known for its antimicrobial and antifungal properties. It contains eugenol, a natural compound that exhibits strong fungicidal activity against various plant pathogens. Previous research has indicated that gene expression of this gene is increased in response to infection with the fungus Fusarium oxysporum.
In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of clove oil treatment on the expression of the Xly gene in tomato plants infected with Fusarium wilt. The plants were treated and the expression levels of the Xly gene were measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) at different time points after treatment. Preliminary results indicate a significant increase in the expression of the Xly gene in tomato plants infected with Fusarium oxporum. However, when the Fusarium-infected tomato plants were treated with clove oil, the expression levels of the Xly gene were found to be significantly lower than in the control group. This finding suggests that clove oil treatment may help modify the defense response of tomato plants and possibly mitigate the effects of Fusarium wilt. The results of this study provide valuable insights into the potential use of clove oil as a natural and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fungicides in preventing Fusarium wilt in tomato crops. The decreased expression of the Xly gene suggests that treating plants with clove oil may combat the spread of the disease and help them resist Fusarium oxysporum.
Clove oil, Fusarium oxysporum, Xly gene
