In vitro fungistatic effect of essential oils against Ascosphaera apis

Different essential oils were tested against the fungus Ascosphaera apis, t he causal agent of Chalkbrood Disease of honey bees. Essential oils from la vandin (Lavandula x intermedia Emeric ex Loiseleur), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), laurel leaf (Laurus nobilis L.), false camphor (Cinnamomum gla ndulifera Nees), basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), tagetes (Tagetes minuta L.), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus La bill.) were assayed to prove their fungistatic activity at different concen trations: 700, 800 and 900 muL/L. Strains of Ascosphaera apis were collecte d from apiaries of different places of Buenos Aires province (Argentina). A t all concentrations tested, coriander oil was the most effective fungistat ic control while basil and tagetes oils were effective only at 800 muL/L. N o differences in effectiveness of oils were observed against the different strains of Ascosphaera apis.