Antifungal activity of essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus against seed-born fungi, the possible effect on seed germination and seedlings vigour were investigated. Five soybean seeds varieties naturally infected and collected from IRAD of Dschang (MAGBA and TGX-1835-10E), and three from IRAD of Foumbot (TGX-1910-14F, HOULA 1, ENGOPA 316) were used. Soybean seeds were distributed among storage plastic, treated with essential oil and stored for 40 days in storage conditions as defined by IRAD. Seed germination rates, fungal seed infection and seedlings vigour were evaluated each 10 days of storage. About 18 fungal species were isolated on all the seeds varieties by using blotter and agar technique respectively. According to both methods, fungi which were frequently isolated were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium oxysporum Fusarium moniliforme, F. solani, Cercospora kikuchii. Soybean seed treatment with essential oil of C. citratus significantly reduce seed infection by fungi and also improves soybean seed germination for MAGBA, TGX-1835-10E and TGX-1910-14F varieties. ENGOPA 316 and HOULA 1 varieties treated with essential oil showed a non-significant reduction in germination. Soybean plants obtained from seeds treated with essential oil of C. citratus grow very well than those coming from untreated seeds. Essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus for seed treatments may become a bio-fungicide for soybean crop protection.
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