ANTIMICROBIAL AND INSECTICIDAL ACTIVITIES OF CASHEW TREE GUM EXUDATE

The gum exudate of the cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale) was shown to inhibit growth of some fungi and bacteria. The gum also prevented o viposition and reduced the number of surviving adults of the Bruchid C allosobruchus maculatus. The feeding of larvae of the Chrysomelid Crim issa cruralis was also strongly affected by the gum. These results sug gest an active role for the gum in the defence mechanisms of the plant .