ABSTRACT
The essential oil of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (D.C.) Stapf) was obtained by steam distillation and evaluated at different concentrations for its in vitro antimicrobial action against Rhizoctonia solani Kühn and for its phytotoxic effect on the germination of lettuce seeds of ‘Marvel of Four Seasons’ cultivar. It was also tested in commercial substrate treatments (pre or post-infested artificially with R. solani) for the control of damping-off in lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa L.) under greenhouse conditions. Total in vitro inhibition of the pathogen occurred at concentrations equal or superior to 0.25%; at this concentration, lemongrass essential oil did not adversely affect the percentage of normal lettuce seedlings. At that same concentration, the tested oil had great activity on the control of R. solani and damping-off percentage of lettuce plants. These results provide positive evidence regarding the potential use of lemongrass essential oil in controlling soil pathogens.
Keywords
alternative control; soil phytopathogens; phytotoxicity
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