Health and germination of Clitoria fairchildiana seeds treated with plant extracts

Abstract

The use of plant extracts with antimicrobial properties is a promising and environmentally friendly alternative to substitute the protection promoted by fungicide application and can be used with other practices of integrated disease management. This study evaluated the interference of Allamanda blanchetti L. and Momordica charantia L. extracts application on the mycoflora and germination of Clitoria fairchildiana seeds. The treatments consisted of control (untreated seeds); dicarboximide fungicide (240 g 100 kg^-1) and ethanol extracts of Momordica charantia and Allamanda blanchetti at concentrations of 10, 100, 500 and 1000 ppm. The germination test was evaluated by the percentage of germination, first count and germination speed index. The extract of Momordica charantia at concentration of 1000 ppm, significantly reduces the mycoflora associated with of Clitoria fairchildiana seeds, favoring their germination performance. The extract of Allamanda blanchetti at concentration of 1000 ppm efficiently reduces the growth of Rhizopus stolonifer.