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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #139094
Title: USE OF MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA OIL FOR PLANT DISEASE CONTROL.

Author
item Caolo Tanski, Janet
item Hanson, Linda
item Hill, Amy
item HILL, JOSEPH - COLORADO STATE UNIVESITY

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/3/2002
Publication Date: 6/1/2002
Citation: Caolo Tanski, J.M., Hanson, L.E., Hill, A.L., Hill, J.P. 2002. Use of melaleuca alternifolia oil for plant disease control.. Phytopathology.

Interpretive Summary: The essential oil from Melaleuca alternifolia has been used for pharmaceutical and household products and as an antiseptic treatment for human ailments. Growing public concern over the use of synthetic pesticides emphasizes the need for alternative treatments. Our work tests the effectiveness of melaleuca oil to control several plant pathogens. The oil's anti-microbial activity was tested in vitro against 7 fungal and 2 oomycetous plant pathogens. Greenhouse studies were conducted to determine the efficacy of melaleuca oil as a seed treatment in the control of Rhizoctonia solani (AG-4) on cotton, and Cochliobolus sativum and Fusarium graminearum on wheat. Experiments in the field evaluated the oil's potential to reduce disease incidence and severity from foliar pathogens such as Alternaria solani on potato and Cercospora beticola on sugarbeets, and seed pathogens such as C. sativum and F. graminearum on wheat. Growth in vitro of all organisms was significantly decreased, but disease control in the field was variable. There may be potential to use M. alternifolia oil for plant pathogen control.

Technical Abstract: The essential oil from Melaleuca alternifolia has been used for pharmaceutical and household products and as an antiseptic treatment for human ailments. Growing public concern over the use of synthetic pesticides emphasizes the need for alternative treatments. Our work tests the effectiveness of melaleuca oil to control several plant pathogens. The oil's anti-microbial activity was tested in vitro against 7 fungal and 2 oomycetous plant pathogens. Greenhouse studies were conducted to determine the efficacy of melaleuca oil as a seed treatment in the control of Rhizoctonia solani (AG-4) on cotton, and Cochliobolus sativum and Fusarium graminearum on wheat. Experiments in the field evaluated the oil's potential to reduce disease incidence and severity from foliar pathogens such as Alternaria solani on potato and Cercospora beticola on sugarbeets, and seed pathogens such as C. sativum and F. graminearum on wheat. Growth in vitro of all organisms was significantly decreased, but disease control in the field was variable. There may be potential to use M. alternifolia oil for plant pathogen control.