A Savory-based Formulation for Sustainable Management of Early Blight caused by Alternaria solani and Preservation of Tomato Fruit Quality

Abstract Environmental degradation caused by excessive chemical inputs is a major global challenge, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable agricultural solutions. Early blight of tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.), caused by Alternaria solani , is a widespread disease with limited eco-friendly control options. This study evaluated three savory-based formulations; CC2020, CCP40, and CCE40 each containing savory essential oil with different compositions for managing early blight under both in vitro and greenhouse conditions. Among them, CC2020 demonstrated the highest efficacy in reducing disease severity and showed consistent performance under greenhouse conditions. Additionally, CC2020 helped preserve vitamin C content in tomato fruits and reduced melanin concentration in A. solani , suggesting a potential dual role in disease suppression and fruit quality maintenance. These findings suggest that CC2020 could serve as a promising, biocompatible formulation for sustainable management of tomato early blight.