Abstract
Nematodes are obligatory parasites that compromise agricultural production worldwide. The use of alternative methods to replace the chemical pesticides in the control of this pest is increasingly growing, due to its pollution to the environment. In order to evaluate the biocidal effect of plant extracts, combinations of extracts of Neem (Azadirachta indica), croton (Croton campestris) and manioc (Manihot esculenta) were used in the control of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita in tomato plants. The extracts were obtained from dried leaves and exposed to cold extraction with ethanol, under reduced pressure, with the aid of rotaevaporador. The application of the treatments took place 72 h after inoculation of suspension with 4,000 eggs/juveniles in the region of the root. Extracts from croton and cassava promoted plant height in the order of 26.75 and 34.50%, respectively; while neem extract inhibited the numbers of nematode juveniles in the root (51.34%), croton (50.85%), and manioc (41.31%). As for juveniles in the soil, only 47.33% was reduced in cassava. However, the mix of the extracts potentiated the effects on improvement of growth parameters and reduction of nematode parasitism. Key words: Alternative control, Meloidogyne incognita, Solanum lycopersicum.
Highlights
The tomato crop (Solanum lycopersicum Mill), cultivated in almost all parts of the world, has high productivity losses by means of the direct interference of phytonematodes on the root system, hindering the absorption of water and nutrients (Cantu et al, 2009)
In order to evaluate the biocidal effect of plant extracts, combinations of extracts of Neem (Azadirachta indica), croton (Croton campestris) and manioc (Manihot esculenta) were used in the control of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita in tomato plants
The use of single and/or combined plant extracts had a positive influence on some characteristics of vegetative development of tomato plants
Summary
The tomato crop (Solanum lycopersicum Mill), cultivated in almost all parts of the world, has high productivity losses by means of the direct interference of phytonematodes on the root system, hindering the absorption of water and nutrients (Cantu et al, 2009). The vegetable species produce primary and secondary metabolites, which are products of chemical reactions with specific functions in plant physiology. The primary compounds are based on their normal development, taking as example, the phytohormones that act in different phenological stages of the plant (Gardiano et al, 2008). Secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, fatty acids, isothiocyanates, acyanogenic glycosides, terpenoids and phenolic compounds, directly assure the defense action against the presence of pathogenic invaders that may impede its cycle, as well as attract or repel other organisms, such as phytonematodes (Ferraz et al, 2010; Gardiano et al, 2011)
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