Among pathogens causing diseases in Zea mays L., Fusarium proliferatum, disseminated by seeds and grain, causes deterioration, death, damping off, rot of roots, stem, stalk and grains. It is thus imperative to treat seeds and grain to preserve quality. The objective of this work was to test antifungal activity at different levels of Allium sativum L. and Cymbopogon citratus Stapf. extracts for F. proliferatum control on maize seeds and grain, and also to observe the effect of those products on seed germination and disease development and evolution in maize seedlings. The effect of A. sativum and C. citratus extracts was evaluated at levels of 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0% for eight days, measuring the colonies' diameter. Fungus spores were immersed in extract solution at the levels described above, and were evaluated after 6, 12, 18 and 24 immersion hours for conidia germination. Maize seeds were treated with extract solution and inoculated with F. proliferatum, then evaluated forfungus survival, germination, damping off and stem rot of plantlets. Extracts decreased mycelial growth, spore germination and survival incidence of F. proliferatum on maize grain. Allium extract at 2,5% showed better results than other treatments. Natural extracts increased seed germination and controlled damping off and stem rot diseases in maize seedlings.
Zea mays; Allium sativum; Cymbopogon citratus; seed treatment; natural extracts; antifungal activity
