Potential of Sodom Apple (Solanum incanum L.) Fruit Extracts in the Management of Chilli Root Knot Disease in Nakuru County, Kenya

Charei Munene Waweru,Daniel Otieno Otaye,Japhet Mburugu Muthamia

doi:10.1155/2017/3849829

Abstract

Sodom apple (Solanum incanum L.) fruit extracts were tested for their potential to manage root knot disease caused by Meloidogyne spp. in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). The effect of sodom apple fruit extracts at different concentrations on the plant height, leaf number, stem diameter, number of galls, and nitrogen and phosphorous levels in chilli infected with root knot nematodes was evaluated. The efficacy of sodom apple fruit extracts against the root knot nematodes was tested under glasshouse and field conditions. All treatment effects were determined by one-way ANOVA using SAS program (Version 9.3). Evaluation after treatment of plants with sodom apple fruit extracts showed that there was a significant difference (P=0.05) in plant heights, number of galls, leaf number, and nitrogen levels in chilli. In the field experiment, the highest mean heights were recorded in the 100% treatment (T1) during the first and third reading. Chilli plants that were treated with the sodom apple fruit extract had a significantly high number of leaves. In the greenhouse experiment, the positive control (T6) had the highest mean heights followed by the 50% treatment (T2). Our research results showed that sodom apple fruit extracts have nematicidal compounds with a potential to be used in the management of chilli root knot nematodes.

Highlights

Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is attacked by root knot nematodes which reduce the yields significantly
There was no significant difference in the means of stem diameters when different treatments of sodom apple fruit extracts were used in the field experiment
In the sodom apple fruit extract field experiment, the relatively high nitrogen and phosphorous levels in the 100% treatment could be attributed to low disease severity due to higher nematicidal activity

Summary

Introduction

Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is attacked by root knot nematodes which reduce the yields significantly. Losses due to nematode infestation in chilli are about 23% [1]. In the recent past different plant extracts have been used in the control of various diseases and pests in crops [3]. Various leaf extracts of noxious weeds such as Solanum xanthocarpum and Argemone mexicana have been used as bare-root dip treatment for the management of plant-parasitic nematodes [4, 5]. Sodom apple (Solanum incanum) plants are readily available in tropical and subtropical areas growing naturally as shrubs in open fields, along the roads or as weeds. The objective of the present study was to test the efficacy of sodom apple fruit extracts on their ability to reduce root knot nematode infestation in chilli (C. annuum)

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Discussion

Conclusion