Effect of essential oils on the physiological and health quality of Schizolobium parahyba var. amazonicum

Abstract

Essential oils are presented as a promising alternative in the treatment of seeds, thus requiring studies to evaluate their effects on seed quality. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the effects of essential oils of eucalyptus citriodora (Corymbia citriodora), clove (Eugenia caryophyllus) and sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) on the physiological and sanitary quality of paricá (Schizolobium parahyba var amazonicum) seeds. Initially, the fungi present in the seeds were identified through the sanity test (Blotter test) in BOD at 25 ºC and photoperiod of 12 hours for seven days. In the germination analysis, the seeds were subjected to asepsis with deionized water solution (control), captan-based fungicide (positive control), sodium hypochlorite (positive control), essential oils of C. citriodora, E. caryophyllus and C. sinensis. Then, they were sown in vermiculite substrate and placed in BOD at 30 ºC and photoperiod of 12 hours. The fungi Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp. and Rhizopus sp. In all variables, the best results were verified with the use of the fungicide. However, the treatment with essential oil of C. citriodora promoted superior results when compared to the treatment with sodium hypochlorite and with C. sinensis oil. It is concluded that treatment with fungicide provided better physiological and sanitary quality of parica seeds and among alternative treatments tested, the essential oil of C. citriodora presented performance on seed quality.