Efficacy of moringa (Moringa oleifera) formulations on suppression of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne javanica) and growth of eggplant (Solanum melongena)

Abstract

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is one of the premier vegetables and is widely cultivated. One of the most important reasons for reduced yield of eggplant is root-knot (Meloidogyne species) nematode. So, it is important to control this pest; therefore, an investigation was conducted in 2022 at the Aquaculture Research Unit lab to evaluate the effectiveness of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) application in controlling root-knot nematode in eggplant. During this study, Meloidogyne javanica (Treub) was identified from the rhizosphere soil samples. Fresh leaf extracts of moringa, including positive control (fenamiphos), were investigated in vivo for efficacy against M. javanica in root and soil. Seedlings of eggplant were inoculated with 3000 eggs and second-stage juveniles (J2) of M. javanica in pot trials, with treatments comprising fresh leaf extracts of moringa (M. oleifera) in a series of concentrations. Fifty-six days after inoculation, the Phyto nematicide had reduced eggs and J2 in soil by 62-89%, gall number by 58-87%, and gall index by 35-87%. The best treatment was moringa (80 ppm) which was significantly superior to moringa (40 ppm) and moringa (60 ppm) (P less than 0.05). However, fenamiphos had no significant difference (P greater than 0.05). The results showed that moringa (80 ppm) was the best treatment for controlling root-knot nematode in eggplant.