Anti microbial properties of Lantana camara leaves

Abstract

Lantana camarai is a perennial weed belongs to the family Verbenaceae, Antimicrobial properties of the leaf of Lantana camara were studied in the laboratory. The results show that the di-ether extract of Lantana camara leaf possesses the property of anti microbial activity. The leaf extract in di-ether suppressed the growth of Aspergillus, Mucor and Rhizopus fungi in culture media for 48 hours. The same leaf extract also prevented bacterial growth in culture media for more than two weeks. Cut tuber decay of potato in the soil caused by soil microbs was effectively prevented when the cut tubers were planted after covering the cut surface with Lantana camara leaves.