Antifungal activity of essential oils derived from some plants against phytopathogenic fungi

Abstract

Essential oils were extracted from different plant species (Acorus calamus, Artemisia nilagerica, Erigeron Canadensis) to evaluate their effect on the growth of four phytopathogenic fungi viz. Alternaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum and Penicillium expansum following poisoned food technique method. Different concentration of oil such as 125ppm, 250ppm, 500ppm, 1000ppm and 5000ppm were taken to evaluate the effect. There was 100% inhibition in the growth of phytopathogenic fungi at 5000 and 1000ppm concentration by essential oil of A. calamus. At 500ppm concentration also 100% inhibition was found up to 7th day on F. oxysporum. Essential oil of A. nilagirica inhibits the growth of all phytopathogenic fungi at higher concentration. In case of P. expansum at 5000ppm concentration 100% inhibition was recorded even after 15 days of incubation. The decrease in colony diameter or growth of fungus was corresponding to the concentration of oil. In comparison to others two, essential oil of Erigeron Canadensis was less effective against phytopathogenic fungi. It can be stated on the basis of results that the use of Acorus calamus and Artemisia nilagirica essential oil could be an alternative to synthetic fungicides for management of post harvest phytopathogenic fungal diseases caused by A. alternata, B. cinerea, F. oxysporum and P. expansum.