Inhibitory Effect of Essential Oil of Achyranthus Aspera Against Phytopathogens

摘要

Fungi constitute the most important group of plant pathogens with more than 8000 species reported to cause disease in plants. Chemical fungicides have been and are being used extensively to manage fungal disease of plants. Due to growing concern about polluting effect of some fungicides and development of resistance among the pathogens against such fungicides. In recent years, intensive search is being made for naturally occurring compounds with antimicrobial activity, various essential oils have been found to possess varied degree of fungitoxicity against different pathogens. Achyranthus aspera. commonly known as "Latzeera" is used traditionally for treatment of leprosy, eczema, cataracts, tetanus, wounds, insect-bite, stomach pain, blindness to cattle and syphilis. It is also found to be useful in lowering blood pressure and depressing heart rate. In the present study, Achyranthus aspera is selected for antimicrobial studies of essential oils extracted from different parts of the plant viz., stem and leaf against some phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria, which cause serious damage to various crop plants. For use of essential oil as biocide preparation to control the phytopathogens in field conditions, the sustainability of the oil at higher temperature to be assessed for field application. Therefore, the thermostability of the oil from different parts of plant was evaluated.