Efficacy of fresh fruit from Cucumis myriocarpus as Nemarioc-AL phytonematicide on suppression of root-knot nematodes in tomato plant production

Abstract

ABSTRACTExperimental System: Fermented dried fruit of wild cucumber (Cucumis myriocarpus Naude.) Had been successfully used as Nemarioc-AL phytonematicide in managing plant-parasitic nematodes in various cropping systems. However, the specialised oven-drying equipment are inaccessible to most resource-poor smallholder farmers in marginalised communities. Procedures: The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of fermented crudes extracts of C. myriocarpus fruit when used in fresh form as Nemarioc-AL phytonematicide on management of population densities of root-knot (Meloidogyne species) nematodes and growth of tomato (Solanum lycorpersicum L.) plants. Seedlings at five leaf-stage were transplanted into pots containing 2700 ml steam-pasteurised river sand and Hygromix at 3:1 (v/v) ratio. Each seedling was inoculated with approximately 3000 eggs and second-stage juveniles (J2) at transplanting. The phytonematicide was applied at 0%, 2%, 4%, 8%, 16%, 32% and 64%, arranged in a randomised complete block design, with five replications and validated in time. Results: At 56 days after treatment, nematode variables and phytonematicide concentrations exhibited negative quadratic relations, with coeffients of determination (COD) ranging from 93% to 97%. Similarly, plant variables and phytonematicide concentrations exhibited positive quadratic relations, with COD from 96% to 98%. Conclusions: In conclusion, when prepared from fresh fruit of C. myriocarpus, Nemarioc-AL phytonematicide was suitable for use in managing nematode population densities of Meloidogyne species in tomato production.