Studies on the Nematicidal Potential of Weeds for the Sustainable Management of Meloidogyne javanica (Treub, 1885) Chitwood, 1949 in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
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Date
2023-07
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G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar-263145
Abstract
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), the most widely grown horticultural crop in the world
has a globally expanding market but its production is adversely affected by both biotic and abiotic
factors. Of the total yield losses incurred globally, 50% are caused by pests, of which about 12.3%
is contributed to by plant parasitic nematodes, and Meloidogyne spp. including Meloidogyne
incognita and Meloidogyne javanica are economically the most important amongst them. Over the
years management of plant parasitic nematodes has been brought about by the use of chemical
nematicides and fumigants. However, the harmful impact of their prolonged and indiscriminate
usage on environment as well as on humans, is well known, which makes it imperative to look for
safer and sustainable management alternatives.
Plant derivatives and botanicals have been widely used in ancient folk medicine as herbal
remedies to ailments and thus have also been evaluated for their nematostatic and nematotoxic
properties. Agave americana L., Artemisia vulgaris L., Calotropis gigantea (L.) Dryand., Datura
innoxia Mill. and Solanum virginianum L. are few globally abundant weeds which are well known
for their inherent toxic nature, and thus, the present research was conducted to screen these five
weeds for their antinemic potential against Meloidogyne javanica on host crop Tomato.
After the precise identification of the root-knot causing species via morphological
characters, management studies were initiated against Meloidogyne javanica. Aqueous leaf extracts
of the five weeds were evaluated in vitro against egg-hatching and larval mobility of M. javanica.
Agave americana ALE at 10% concentration exhibited highest nematicidal activity at 96 hour
exposure period with 87.33% egg-hatch inhibition and about 79.33% inhibition of larval mobility
followed by Solanum virginianum ALE applied at the same concentration. Under in vivo trials on
tomato cultivar Pant T-3, Agave americana ALE at 20% concentration applied as double drench
emerged as the best treatment resulting in complete inhibition of nematode growth, absence of both
knots on roots and nematode population in soil and improved plant growth characters, all of these
results being at par with the chemical check (Nimitz). Qualitative phytochemical screening of the
extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, resins, phenols and triterpenes which are
secondary metabolites responsible for antimicrobial, antioxidant, insect-pest repellent and deterrent
activities in the plants.
Today, when the world is moving rapidly towards sustainable development, and ensuring food
security is a major global concern, it is pertinent for agroecosystems to evolve and incorporate
environment friendly practices. Nematode management is a major focus area for reducing food losses
and hence the present study provides a scope for large scale evaluation of abundantly available weeds
such as Agave americana as a solution to solving emerging nematode problems in agriculture.
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Theses of M.Sc.