Abstract

The devastating root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita can cause severe damage to field and greenhouse crops. Due to high economic losses, alternative products are essential to replace banned or strictly regulated nematicides that affect human health and/or the environment. Garlic based products have been previously investigated as environmentally friendly nematicides and their active substances, diallyl polysulfides exist as formulated nematicides on the market. We tested the garlic-based nematicide NEMguard® DE as protective of tomato roots. In vitro evaluation of the lethal concentration (LC) showed strong nematicidal activity with LC50 of 0.8 mg/mL after 96 h and LC90 of 1.5 mg/mL. NEMguard® DE showed protective effect against M. incognita as a single application in small pots and a second application further reduced root galling, significantly. Large greenhouse trials were carried out in two consecutive years to test single and monthly applications of NEMguard® DE. In both years, no controlling effect could be observed on M. incognita. We assume that the silt content of the loamy sandy soil used had an effect on the polysulfides, inhibiting their nematicidal effect. We conclude that further experiments are necessary to investigate the nematicidal potential of NEMguard® DE under different soil compositions or as a different formulation.

Highlights

  • Plant-parasitic root-knot nematodes (RKN) of the genus Meloidogyne are severe plant pathogens that cause significant economic losses by inducing the development of root knot galls, altering the plant vascular system and draining essential nutrients from the host [1]

  • RKN infection can contribute to reduced plant resistance to other biotic and abiotic stresses and nematode attack is often related to other problems such as drought, nutrient deficiency and different pathogens causing similar diseases, all resulting in economic losses for the growers [1]

  • In Vitro Effect of Solubelized NEMguard® Diatomaceous earth (DE) on M. incognita Motility The in vitro investigation of NEMguard® DE solubilized in tap water revealed increasing nematicidal activity with increasing concentration and prolonged exposure (Table 1)

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Summary

Introduction

Plant-parasitic root-knot nematodes (RKN) of the genus Meloidogyne are severe plant pathogens that cause significant economic losses by inducing the development of root knot galls, altering the plant vascular system and draining essential nutrients from the host [1]. The severe plant damage caused by these obligate biotrophic nematodes can result in wilting, stunted growth, leaf discoloration, root deformation, reduced yield and crop quality (up to the total crop loss). RKN infection can contribute to reduced plant resistance to other biotic and abiotic stresses and nematode attack is often related to other problems such as drought, nutrient deficiency and different pathogens causing similar diseases, all resulting in economic losses for the growers [1]. Further management methods, such as plantbased metabolites are being investigated to search for alternative human and environment friendly biopesticides [3,7]

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