ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITIES OF ESSENTIAL OILS AGAINST RIGIDOPORUS LIGNOSUS, CAUSATIVE AGENT OF WHITE ROOT-ROT DISEASE OF THE RUBBER TREE IN CAMEROON

Investigations were conducted to evaluate the antifungal activities of the essential oils of Eucalyptus saligna, Cymbopogon citratus and Cupressus lusitanica collected from the locality of Dschang, West region of Cameroon against Rigidoporus lignosus (clone GT1) causative agent of root rubber trees rot. The agar well diffusion method was used to evaluate fungal growth inhibition at various concentrations. The obtained results showed that essential oils of of Eucalyptus saligna, Cymbopogon citratus and Cupressus lusitanica found to be inhibitory to Rigidoporus lignosus. The antifungal activity of these essential oils were varied significantly depending on plant species. Eucalyptus saligna and Cupressus lusitanica essential oils completely suppressed de growth of Rigidoporus lignosus at 5000 ppm with fungicide effect for Eucalyptus saligna. However Cymbopogon citratus essential oil has been more active than the other two and also showed a fungicide effect at 500 ppm. From these results, it can be concluded that the essential oil from the leaves of C. citratus may be rich in antifungal compounds which possess considerable antifungal properties. It is a good alternative to harmful chemical pesticides and can be effectively used to control growth of Rigidoporus lignosus.