Gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis of nematicidal essential oil of Valeriana amurensis P Smirn ex Kom (Valerianaceae) roots and its activity against Heterodera avenae

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the chemical composition and nematicidal activity of the essential oil of Valeriana amurensis roots against cereal cyst nematodes (Heterodera avenae). Methods: The essential oil of V. amurensis roots was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromaotography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The nematicidal activity of the essential oil and its major constituents was determined against second stage juveniles of H. avenae. Results: A total of 33 components of the essential oil were identified. The major constituents were bornyl acetate (12.5 %), patchoulol (11.6 %), caryophyllene (8.2 %), 3-methylvaleric acid (7.3 %) and isovaleric acid (6.5 %). The essential oil exhibited nematicidal activity against H. avenae with a medium lethal concentration (LC50) value of 311.6 μg/mL. The major constituents, isovaleric acid and 3- methylvaleric acid, exhibited nematicidal activity against H. avenae with LC50 of 218.2 and 683.8 μg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: The study indicates that the essential oil of V. amurensis roots and its two major constituents, isovaleric acid and 3-methylvaleric acid, have a potential to be developed to natural nematicides for the control of cereal cyst nematodes.