Effect of essential oil from genus Lippia plants over the control of fungi contaminants on the micro propagation of plants

Abstract

The contaminants microorganisms are one of the most severe problems for the micro propagation of plants. This work aimed to identify the main fungi contaminants found in the micro propagation of plants and to evaluate the effect of essential oil from genus Lippia on the control of these microorganisms. The contaminants often found in the Laboratory of Tissue Culture and Vegetable Genetics of Embrapa Tropical Agroindustry were Aspergillus nige Van Tieghem, Penicillium sp, Fusarium sp, and Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht f. sp Cubenses (E.f Snith) Snyd and Hans. The control of the vegetative growth of these contaminants was evaluated using essential oils L. sidoides Cham. (alecrim pimenta) and L. gracilis Schauer (alecrim da chapada) comparing with the Carbendazin fungicide. The oil L. sidoides and the Carbendazin were efficient on the inhibition of the development of all fungi evaluated using the concentrations 3 x 10 -1µL mL -1 e 3 x10 -2 µL mL-1, respectively. Oil L. gracilis controlled only the fungi Aspergillus niger and Penicillium sp in the concentration of 126 µL mL-1. The results showed that we can use the essential oil Lippia as an alternative for the control of contaminants in the Laboratory of Tissue Culture of Plants.