Abstract
The aim of the present studies were to evaluate the effects of treatments with essential oil emulsion on the sanitary and physiological quality of creole corn seeds. In the studies were evaluated the essential oils of neem (Azadirachta indica), citronella (Cymbopogon nardus), lemon balm (Cymbopogon citratus), melissa (Melissa officinalis L.), and the combinations neem-citronella, neem-lemon balm, neem-melissa, citronella-lemon balm, citronella-melissa and lemon balm-melissa. The tests carried out were germination, length of seedlings (aerial part and root), dry mass and pathology for Fusarium sp and Aspergillus sp, in seeds of creole corn produced without the use of synthetic pesticides. The studies were carried out in vitro and consisted of the preparation of water emulsion, 5,000 ppm of essential oil and 1% of triton X100 and direct application on the seeds of creole corn, following the protocol of Rules of Seed Analysis (RSA). The results showed a significant decrease in the occurrence of fungi Fusarium sp and Aspergillus sp with treatment with essential oils of citronella, lemon balm and melissa, while the oil of neither reduced the occurrence of Fusarium sp, but increased the occurrence of Aspergillus sp in almost four times. All binary combinations of essential oils reduced the occurrence of both fungi. On the other hand, the physiological quality was strongly affected by the death of creole corn seeds, except for the treatment with lemon balm essential oil. Therefore, these studies allow to affirm that essential oils can be efficient in the control of pathogens, however they can kill the seeds of creole corn.
Highlights
Corn (Zea mays L.) is a diploid and allogamous species, which belongs to the Poaceae family (Gramineae), its origin occurs approximately from seven to ten thousand years ago in a region that covers Mexico and continues to Central America
The results showed a significant decrease in the occurrence of fungi Fusarium sp. and Aspergillus sp. with treatment with essential oils of citronella, lemon balm and melissa, while the oil of neither reduced the occurrence of Fusarium sp., but increased the occurrence of Aspergillus sp. in almost four times
These data show that seeds treated with emulsions of essential oils of citronella, lemon balm and melissa showed a significant decrease in the percentage of Fusarium sp. and Penicillium sp. (Table 1)
Summary
Corn (Zea mays L.) is a diploid and allogamous species, which belongs to the Poaceae family (Gramineae), its origin occurs approximately from seven to ten thousand years ago in a region that covers Mexico and continues to Central America. The simple hybrid is the result of the crossing between two pure lines and it is indicated for production systems that use high technology, as it has the greatest productive potential. The triple hybrid is obtained from the crossing between a pure line and a simple hybrid and is indicated for medium to high technology, while the double hybrid is the result of the cross between two simple hybrids, being indicated for medium technology (Cruz, et al, 2012). In addition to hybrid corn, there are creole populations, known as local breeds, which are less productive as compared to commercial corn, but these varieties have better nutritional contents, as well as, genetic variability, resistant and adapted to the environment of origin (Sandri and Tofanelli, 2008)
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