Effect of Essential Oil against Seed Associated Mycoflora of Wheat Seeds

In the present investigation wheat seed samples were collected from farmers of Bihar and mycoflora associated with wheat seed samples were isolated by standard blotter paper and towel paper methods. Mycoflora i.e. Bipolaris sorokiniana, Fusarium moniliforme, Alternaria triticina, Aspergillus sp. and Penicillium sp. were isolated from wheat seed samples. Different essential oils (Citronella, Eucalyptus, Lemon grass, Clove and Neem oil) were tested in-vitro against isolated pathogens from farmers saved wheat seed samples at different concentrations i.e. 100 ppm, 200 ppm and 300 ppm by “poisoned food technique”. Lemongrass oil has shown highest percent inhibition of growth (67.74, 67.74 and 68.81%) among different essential oil tested against Bipolaris sorokiniana at all three concentrations 100, 200 and 300 ppm respectively. Neem oil found highest percent inhibition of growth (67.56, 71.17 and 73.87%) among different essential oils tested against Fusarium moniliforme, Aspergillus sp. (60.60, 67.67 and 67.67%) and Penicillium sp. (38.33, 41.66 and 50%) at all three concentrations 100, 200 and 300 ppm respectively. Eucalyptus oil has shown highest percent inhibition of growth (58.33, 64.58 and 68.75%) among different essential oils tested against Alternaria triticina at all three concentrations 100, 200 and 300 ppm respectively.