Antifungal Potential of Ocimum sanctum Linn. Essential Oil against Fungal Pathogens Causing Economic Losses in Cymbopogon flexuosus Nees Ex Steud. (Lemongrass)

Abstract

Cymbopogon flexuosus Nees Ex Steud. (Commonly known as lemongrass, family Poaceae) is one of the commercially important aromatic plants having medicinal properties. India is one of the largest producers and exporters of lemongrass essential oil in the world; in the year 2021-22, India exported about 610 tons of lemongrass oil, contributing more than 4 lakh US $ million in Gross Domestic Productivity (GDP). However, despite a good national and international market, this crop suffers quantitative and qualitative losses due to the leaf spot and leaf blight diseases caused by the fungi Curvularia trifolii and Rhizoctonia solani, respectively; therefore, an attempt has been made to manage these fungal pathogens. The essential oil of basil (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) was extracted by hydro-distillation method using Clevenger apparatus. The oil thus extracted was used for in vitro antifungal efficacy against both the test fungi Curvularia trifolii and Rhizoctonia solani, using the poison food technique. The results show that the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the basil oil against C. trifolii 2000 ppm and R. solani was 1600 and however, it was cidal in nature at 3200 and 2400 ppm against both fungi, respectively. The current study’s findings show that O. sanctum oil could be an alternative to synthetic fungicides after detailed investigations.