Black spot is currently one of the most widespread diseases affecting Yanbian Pingguoli pears (
Pyrus pyrifolia cv. ‘Pingguoli’), resulting in significant economic losses for fruit farmers. It is mainly caused by infestation by the fungal group of
Alternaria species. To date, no
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Black spot is currently one of the most widespread diseases affecting Yanbian Pingguoli pears (
Pyrus pyrifolia cv. ‘Pingguoli’), resulting in significant economic losses for fruit farmers. It is mainly caused by infestation by the fungal group of
Alternaria species. To date, no research has reported the presence of
Alternaria species and the pathogen of black spot disease on Yanbian Pingguoli pears in China. This study isolated, identified, and performed molecular profiling of 124
Alternaria strains collected from 15 major growing areas of Yanbian Pingguoli pear (more than 5000 trees). Moreover, the study evaluated the ability of
Artemisia capillaris essential oil (AcEO) to suppress the mycelial expansion of
Alternaria pathogens and conducted comprehensive chemical profiling. Overall, 124 pathogenic fungi were identified as
Alternaria tenuissima (67 isolates, 54.0%) and
A. alternate (57 isolates, 46.0%). AcEO showed a strong inhibitory effect on the two
Alternaria species, with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value equivalent to 5.0 μL/mL. Eucalyptol, 2,2-Dimethyl-3-methylenebicyclo [2.2.1] heptane, (-)-alcanfor, and β-copaene were identified as the predominant bioactive components of AcEO. AcEO demonstrated concentration-dependent inhibition of the mycelial growth of
A. tenuissima and
A. alternata. These findings position AcEO as a promising candidate for developing sustainable fungicides to combat
Alternaria-induced crop losses.
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