Effect of some plant extracts on the hatch of Meloidogyne incognita eggs

Abstract

Root-knot nematodes are one of the major limiting factors affecting plant growth and yield. Currently, synthetic pesticides are principle means used to control the nematodes but natural products may provide a safer alternative. Nematicidal compounds have been identified in a wide diversity of plant species. A study was conducted to evaluate potential of aqueous extracts from Azadirachta indica, Carica papaya, Ocimum sanctum, Ricinus communis and Tagetes patula, in controlling the hatch of eggs of the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita. Five concentrations of water soluble extracts from the five plant species were filtered, added to petri dishes and infested with eggs of M. incognita. The best results were obtained with O. sanctum, with no hatching within 48 h vs. 34.8% in the control. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information.