ABSTRACT

The use of secondary compounds of medicinal plants, with antimicrobial properties, can be an alternative for the control of phytopathogens. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of derivatives obtained from the medicinal plant Adiantum capillus-veneris (maidenhair fern) against phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria. The derivatives, obtained from the powder of shadow-dried maidenhair fern leaves, were prepared by infusion, maceration and decoction, autoclaved and non-autoclaved, in the concentration of 0.1%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.25%, 2.5%, 5%, 10%, and 20%. The germination of Phakopsora euvitis and Pseudocercospora vitis spores, the mycelial growth of Colletotrichum musae and Sclerotium rolfsii, and the multiplication of Erwinia sp. and Bacillus subtilis bacteria were evaluated. The extract obtained by non-autoclaved maceration presented the best effect against P. euvitis, with reduction of 75% on uredospores germination in the concentration of 20%. Against P. vitis, the derivative obtained by non-autoclaved maceration was more effective, presenting 99% of reduction on conidia germination in the concentration of 20%. The smallest mycelial growth of C. musae and S. rolfsii was obtained by autoclaved maceration with 39% and 83% reduction, respectively. For Erwinia sp., the greatest inhibitory effect was obtained with the 25% autoclaved maceration that inhibited the bacterial growth at 99%. For B. subtilis, there was no significant inhibition. These results indicate the potential of maidenhair fern derivatives for the control of phytopathogens.

KEY WORDS
Alternative control; medicinal plant; decoction; maceration; infusion