Induction of resistance against damping off caused by Fusarium sp. in beet seedlings, by seed treatment with essential oil of Aloysia citriodora Palau

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of essential oil of Aloysia citriodora in the induction of resistance in beet seedlings against damping off caused by Fusarium sp. The work was carried out by treating the seeds with concentrations (0.0625%; 0.125% and 0.25%) of essential oil of A. citriodora in distilled water plus surfactant Tween 80^® (0.5%) and control treatment (distilled water plus surfactant Tween 80^® 0.5%). The seeds after treated with essential oil were sown in substrate inoculated with Fusarium sp. It was evaluated after 14 days of sowning: the percentage of emergency at 4 and 14 days; the incidence of post-emergence damping off; green mass; the length of seedlings and biochemistry of plant tissues (total protein content, enzymatic activity of peroxidases, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, β-1.3-glucanases and chitinases). The results showed that the essential oil of this plant applied on seeds reduced the damping off caused by Fusarium sp. and induced biochemical plant defense mechanisms, by increasing the activity of peroxidases.