Abstract

Since the propagation of forest species is by seeds, the success of population establishment depends on the use of good quality seeds. And the use of alternative controls with essential oils for fungal control is ecologically important. The present work aimed to evaluate the influence of essential oils of Citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus), Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini), Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Eucalyptus globulus and Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) in reducing the incidence of fungus and physiological quality of painera—Ceiba speciosa seeds. The seeds were treated with the essential oils of Citronella, Palmarosa, Lemongrass, thyme, eucalyptus, and rosemary at a concentration of 2%. Captan fungicide (240 g/100 kg^-1) was used as a control treatment. After the treatments, the seeds were evaluated by the sanity test, using the “Blotter test” filter paper method. For physiological quality, germination, first count, germination speed index, and seedling length were evaluated. The following genera of phytopathogenic fungi have been identified on Paineira seeds: Cladosporium sp., Fusarium spp., Penicillium sp., Colletotrichum sp. and Pestalotipsis sp. Treating the seeds with essential oils of Citronella, Palmarosa, Lemongrass, and Thyme controlled the fungi on the Paineira seeds. However, changes in the physiological quality of the seeds were associated with the use of the essential oils, compromising seedling vigor.

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