This study aimed to investigate the antifungal activity of essential oil (EO) of Bene (Pistacia atlantica Subsp. Kurdica) oleoresin against Botrytis strawberry rot as compared to synthetic fungicide benomyl. The fruits of five strawberry cultivars, including Kurdistan, Selva, Queen Eliza, paros and camarosa were infected with Botrytis cinerea, treated with the minimum inhibitory concentration of EO (26000 μL/L) or benomyl (3000 μL/L) and stored at 4/25 ˚C for 26-28 days. EO and benomyl had same effects, and the low storage temperature led to a decrease in spoilage level. The maximum and minimum levels of spoilage were found for Kurdistan and camarosa cultivars, respectively. SEM images revealed that EO-treated hyphae are shriveled and fused. EO had no adverse effects on the fruit peel. These results demonstrate that Bene EO can be used as a natural fungicide for control of B. cinerea on strawberry fruit
