Abstract

STUDIES ON INFLUENCE OF ASCORBIC ACID & CORRELANCE WITH ANTI-FUNGAL POSSESSIONS OF Cymbopogan Citratus TREATED WITH VARIOUS ORGANIC MANURE AND ITS TEXTURE ANALYSIS USING SEM

R. Uma Maheswari* and K. Priya

ABSTRACT

Cymbopogon citratus belongs to the family of Gramineae is aherb worldwide known as lemongrass. Lemon grass is a tropical and sub-tropical grass. Cymbopogan citratus possesses various pharmacological activities such as antifungal, mosquito repellent, insecticidal, anti-diabetic, anti-septic, and anti-carcinogenic in humans and anti-mutagenic,anti-amoebic, anti-bacterial, anti-diarrheal, anti-filarial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Various other effects like anti-malarial, anti-mutagenicity, anti-mycobacterial, anti-oxidants, hypo-glycemic and neuro-behavioral have also been studied, plant is used extensively in ayurvedic medicine. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different amount of manures on the leaf and plant characteristics as well asgrowth parameter and yield of Cymbopogan citratus. There were 5 different treatments viz., T1 = 100% soil (control), T2= 50% cow dung + 50% soil, T3= 50% organic manure + 50% soil, T4= 50% bio fertilizer + 50% soil, T5= 25% cow dung + 25% organic manure + 25% bio fertilizer+ 25% soil. It was observed that the plant produced highest number of leaves and, maximum leaf growth parameter leaves with application of 25% cow dung + 25% organic manure + 25% bio fertilizer+ 25% soil (T5). The growth rate, leaf count, ascorbic acid content as well as antifungal activity of leaves also significantly endorsed by different manure treatments where maximum effect was noticed at early stages with all treatment. It was revealed that organic manure had a little effect on plant character of Cymbopogan citratus over bio fertilizer. The shape and texture of lemon grass (powder) were studied using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).

Keywords: Cymbopogon citratus, SEM, Pot culture Technique, Vitamin-C, Azolla, Antifungal.