Crown and root rot in strawberries (Fragaria ananassa), instigated by the fungal pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina,
poses a formidable challenge to global strawberry agriculture. This investigation scrutinizes the effectiveness of various
chemical and natural inducers against Macrophomina phaseolina strain AUMC 16307 with accession number
PP178224, a soilborne menace to strawberry vitality. Among the treatments assessed, oxalic acid and Rizolex-T 50%
exhibited remarkable efficacy, achieving complete inhibition of mycelial growth at concentrations of 8 mM and 3 g/L,
respectively. Oxalic acid compromised fungal cell membranes and chelated vital metal ions, while Rizolex-T 50%
impeded lipid biosynthesis, undermining cell membrane integrity. Conversely, chitosan, despite its recognized antifungal
attributes, proved ineffective at concentrations ranging from 1 to 3 g/L, potentially due to inadequate molecular weight
or deacetylation levels. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO. NPs) demonstrated promising results, achieving 88.1% efficacy
at 3%, by generating reactive oxygen species that inflicted damage on fungal cells. Camphor oil, a natural terpenoid,
displayed moderate efficacy with 59.6% inhibition at 3%, disrupting fungal membranes and mitochondrial functions.
Rizolex-T 50% emerged as the most potent treatment, significantly curtailing disease incidence and severity, although its
chemical nature raises environmental and resistance concerns. Natural inducers like oxalic acid, chitosan, ZnO. NPs and
camphor oil exhibited moderate effectiveness, underscoring their potential as sustainable alternatives. These treatments
bolster plant growth and enhance phenolic content and defense enzyme activities, aligning with their roles in systemic
resistance and oxidative defense