Yuvarani, R, Thiruvudainambi, S, Theradimani, M
Department of Plant Pathology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai-625104.
Vanniarajan, C
Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Agricultural college and Research Institute, Madurai. Tamilnadu, India.
Renuka, R
Department of Biotechnology, Agricultural college and Research Institute, Madurai. Tamilnadu, India.
Efficacy of plant oils against grain discolouration of rice under in vitro condition
Authors
Abstract
Grain discolouration is an important constraint in reducing productivity of rice. Curvularia lunata and Exserohilum rostratum are two important pathogens responsible for it. An in vitro study was undertaken to test the efficacy of different plant oils against these pathogens. It revealed from the experiment using poison food technique that all the plant oils recorded a significant inhibition over control. Among the different concentration (1, 2 and 3%) of plant oils
such as Eucalyptus, Neem Pungam, Coconut and Mahua oil were tested. The result revealed that eucalyptus oil (3%) recorded the complete mycelial inhibition of C. lunata (100 %) and E. rostratum (78%) followed by pungam oil (58.8 % of C. lunata), (52% of E. rostratum) and least mycelial growth were recorded by coconut oil (3%). Our findings suggest that the plant oils may be valuable as potential antifungal properties against grain discolouration of rice.