Antimicrobial Efficacy of Citrus limon Leaf and Peel Extracts on Indeterminate Tomato Plants to Achieve Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Background: The present study was carried out with the aim to extract and evaluate antimicrobial efficiency of lemon peel against bacteria (Ralstonia solanacearum) and fungi (Fusarium oxysporum). In the current scenario various microorganisms are developing resistance against all biotics. Methods: In this experiment, volatile compounds from lemon peel were extracted by hydro-distillation process. Extract contains D-limonene (70-90%), flavonoids and several polymethoxylated flavones and showed many therapeutic properties like anticancer, antiviral, antitumor, anti-inflammatory activities including many bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, minerals, flavonoids and vitamins. Result: It may be concluded that maximum zone of inhibition against the bacteria and fungus was around 40% when methanol is used as solvent. On the other hand, T3 (Lemon peel extract with 40% methanol) also showed very good results concerning vegetative and reproductive parameters of tomato along with very less disease incidence and plant mortality rate.