Homeopathy with essential oils in the germination of spores and induction of phytoalexins

The homeopathic use of essential oils is seen as an alternative in the control of plant pathogens and in the induction of such defensive plant compounds as phytoalexins. The aim of this study therefore, was to evaluate the effect of dynamised solutions of Eucalyptus citriodora (EC) and Cymbopogon citratus (CC) on conidial germination in Alternaria solani and Corynespora cassiicola, and on the production of phytoalexins in the soybean. The following homeopathic treatments from both oils were used in the tests: 6CH, 12CH, 30CH, 60CH, 100CH and 200CH. Germination percentage was determined four hours after incubation of the pathogens in the presence of the treatments using Elisa plates at 25 degrees C; spore counts were made by optical microscope. For the phytoalexins, soybean cotyledons from seeds grown in sterile sand were cut on their lower surface and subjected to the treatments, remaining in the dark for 20 hours. The gliceolin formed was extracted and determined by spectrophotometer. All the levels of dynamisation applied reduced germination in both pathogens, reaching 59% for A. solani and 42% for C. cassiicola with CC 30CH. The dynamisations under test were not efficient in gliceolin induction, demonstrating a greater potential of the treatments for pathogens, when compared to induction of these defensive compounds. Based on the results, it is possible to demonstrate the potential of homeopathic treatments in the control of A. solani and C. cassiicola. The homeopathic process maintained the antimicrobial properties of the oils under test.