Evaluación de extractos vegetales de manzanilla (Matricaria chamomilla) y tomillo (Thymus vulgaris) para el control de mildiu polvoriento (Erysiphe cichoracearum) en zucchini verde (Cucurbita pepo) sakata

Abstract

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of two extracts of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) for the control of powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) on green zucchini, it was carried out in Atahualpa, Ambato, province of Tungurahua in an established crop of three months of age. An experimental design of completely randomized blocks (DBCA) with three replications was use; the extracts were obtained by the maceration method with three solutions of 10, 20 and 30%, compared with an absolute and a chemical control. Under field conditions, variables of incidence, severity and crop yield were evaluated. The results according to the statistical analysis at the end of 32 days after the first application showed that the best treatments were E2D3 (thyme at 30%) with values of 75.55% incidence control and 0.24% of severity, with an average yield per kilogram of fruit/ plant 1.1 kg,. Followed by E1D3 (chamomile at 30%) with 82,22% incidence control and 0,25% disease severity, with an average yield of 0,99 kg of fruit/plant. This proves that Thyme and Chamomile are plants with antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, and insecticidal characteristics; their main composition is based on the content of secondary metabolites such phenolic acids, terpenes, flavonoids and saponins.