Biological control of tomato bacterial speck using Punica granatum fruit peel extract

Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, the causal agent of tomato bacterial speck, is common in greenhouses and fields all over Italy. The antibacterial activity of ethanol extracts of Punica granatum (pomegranate) fruit peels on P. syringae pv. tomato was studied both in vitro and in vivo. The minimum in vitro inhibition value for peel extract of P. granatum on the P. syringae pv. tomato Pt 1301 strain (from Turkey) was obtained at a concentration of 0.5%. The in vivo antibacterial action of this natural substance lasted at least 15 days, permitting the replacement or reduction of the commonly used copper compounds. The active components of the pomegranate peel extracts were ellagic and gallic acids.