Abstract Aims This study investigated the antifungal activity and mechanisms of ethyl acetate extract of Artemisia argyi (EAAA) against Verticillium dahliae. Methods and Results Optical and scanning electron microscopy observation showed that 2.0 mg ml−1 EAAA treatment reduced spore germination rate to 4.56. Histochemical staining showed that 2.0 mg ml−1 EAAA treatment increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) by more than two times. Physiological test showed that EAAA treatment decreased the contents of soluble proteins and sugars, and reduced the activities of malate dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase by nearly half. Transcriptome analysis showed that EAAA treatment down‐regulated the expression of genes involved in primary metabolic pathways of V. dahliae. Conclusions Our results revealed that EAAA inhibited the growth and development of V. dahliae from multiple levels and multiple targets, including inhibiting the germination and development of V. dahliae spores, destroying the structure of cell membranes, inducing ROS burst, reducing the activities of respiratory‐related enzymes and down‐regulating the expression of genes in primary metabolic pathways. Significance and Impact of the Study The mechanism of the multitarget effects of EAAA against V. dahliae may limit the potential of fungus developing resistance and provide the efficient methods to control verticillium wilt disease in the future.
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