Anti-Fungal Activity and Allelopathic Influence of Vitex agnus-castus L. (Verbenaceae) Essential Oils on Actinidia deliciosa in vitro Culture

The results of research of Vitex agnus-castus L. plants from the collection of M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden, NAS of Ukraine are given. The species belongs to a group of prospective essential oil plants which are characterized by valuable medicinal, food, aromatic, honey, technical and decorative properties, and can be used in many industries, including pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food. The quantitative content and qualitative composition of the vegetating plant's essential oil are determined, its antifungal influence on the cultures of Aspergillus niger, Alternaria alternatа and Fusarium culmorum is assessed. Antifungal properties of V. agnus- castus essential oil were used to sterilize Actinidia deliciosa (A. Chev) C.F. Liang & A.R. Ferguson explants introduced in vitro. V. agnus-castus essential oil is shown to have allelopathic effect on A. deliciosa plants. The possibility of using the oil in vitro to cultivate A. deliciosa callus as a source of bioactive substances and to enhance the effectiveness of biotechnological methods of plant propagation is discussed.