Antifungal effect of lemongrass (cymbopogon citratus) essential oil on seed associated fungi of wheat and rice (T-1299) (MFN 4264)

Abstract

Rice and wheat germplasm were screened for the presence of seed both saprophytic as well as pathogenic fungi associated with wheat and rice seeds. Seven fungal species viz., Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Curvularia lunata, Drechslera indica, Drechslera tripogonis and Fusarium moniliforme were associated with rice while five fungi viz., Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger and Drechslera indica were found in wheat. Among all the isolated fungi Aspergillus flavus was found as predominant fungi (41%) associated with seeds of rice and (33%) with seeds of wheat. The antifungal potential at different concentrations of lemongrass essential oil was tested by using disk diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of lemongrass essential oil against each fungus was determined through agar plug method. Highest MIC (55ppm) was recorded for Aspergillus flavus and lowest for Drechslera indica (20ppm). Significant differences were recorded for different concentrations of lemongrass essential oil against isolated fungi (pð€‚”0.05) against tested fungi. However, Aspergillus niger was found the most susceptible fungal strain to lemongrass essential oil.