Published in Scientific Papers. Series A. Agronomy, Vol. LXVII, Issue 1
Written by Simona NIȚĂ, Diana OBIȘTOIU, Anca HULEA, Lucian NIȚĂ, Ilinca Merima IMBREA, Ștefan Laurențiu BĂTRÎNA, Lucian BOTOȘ
Developing agroecosystems to reduce yield losses, effective use of water resources, and environmentally friendly innovative biotechnological interventions to stop using more chemical pesticides and fertilisers have been the focus of several sustainable strategies. Our research aimed to identify the allelopathic in vitro effect of Elettaria cardamomum essential oil (ECEO) on wheat seeds regarding the antifungal efficacy and germination stimulation. Surface-sterilized seeds (n = 100) were transferred in sterile Petri dishes (Ø 120 mm), and the ECEO doses were 5 µL, 25 µL, 50 µL and 100 µL. The Petri dishes were transferred to a growth chamber and kept at 25 °C in the dark for 5 days. Consequently, the microflora and germination rate was assessed on the PDA medium. The results suggest that the minimum concentration needed for ECEO to affect the seeds contamination index was at 25µL, while values of 50µL and 100µL inhibited the germination, resulting in germination rates at 86% and decreasing to 43%. ECEO oil exhibited promising antifungal activity and seems to have a potent fumigant activity against wheat mycoflora and could be used as possible future natural agent in agriculture.
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