Organic amendments as an ecofriendly substitute of carbofuran for the suppression of nematodes associated with Malus pumila

Abstract

• Carbofuran and cow dung were applied to soil against nematodes. • Carbofuran killed maximum nematodes in 3 months but it is toxic. • Cow dung gave similar results in 6 months. • Cow dung is an ecofriendly option for the protection of plants against nematodes. Plant-parasitic nematodes infect the roots of crops which bring rigorous economic loss to food industry across the globe. Several plant protection agents are being used but they cause severe negative environmental and health impacts. Recently, organic matter has become an important green alternative for several pesticides including nematicides. In the present study, identification and management of stylet bearing nematodes associated with Malus pumila from different locations of Khanpur, Pakistan, have been presented. Soil samples were collected from the rhizosphere of infected M. pumila and isolated using Baermann funnel extraction technique. Collected specimens were killed, fixed and mounted. After identification, cow dung (organic) and carbofuran (inorganic) were applied after taking the first soil samples and soil samples were recollected and analyzed after 3 months of applications. Ten species of nematodes; Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus, Helicotylenchus dihystera, Helicotylenchus vulgaris, Meloidogyne javanica, Meloidogyne incognita, Aphelenchus avenae, Pratylenchus penetrans, Filenchus sheri, Psilenchus hilarulus and Tylenchus semipenetrans were identified from different locations. Results of amendments revealed that carbofuran was found more effective because of its intense toxic properties, whereas nematode decline rate was slow in case of organic amendments. Being an insecticide, carbofuran killed maximum nematodes but it is highly toxic. If the time period is increased, comparable results can be achieved by applying cow dung, which makes it an environmentally friendly option for the protection of plants against nematodes.