Abstract:
The root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, is the most widespread and serious nematode pest damaging root systems of a variety of agricultural and ornamental crops in tropical and subtropical countries throughout the world. Management of this nematode species by integrated application of synthetic insecticides and variety of non-chemical methods are suggested but many are not very effective. Even though, mature leaf extraction of Annona glabra (pond apple or alligator apple; Family Annonaceae), contains some insecticidal properties, there is no clear evidence of its nematicidal effect. This study was conducted to find the efficacy of aqueous leaf extracts of A . glabra, on root knot nematode species, M . incognita attacking spinach plants in comparison to the extracellular metabolites of two species of antagonistic fungi, Trichoderma harzianum and T . viride. Polythene bags were filled with nematode free soil. Single spinach plants having 6 leaves were transplanted into each pots. 10-12 mature adult female nematodes were added to spinach plant pots. These pots were kept outdoor for 2 weeks prior to inoculating the treatments. Above ground growth parameters such as number of total leaves, length of stem, below ground growth parameters such as number of root galls, root length were used to determine nematicidal effect on the nematode infested plants. One-way ANOVA was performed to test whether there is significant difference (95% confidence interval) between each concentrations of treatments. Results revealed that spinach plants treated with A . glabra plant aqueous leaf extract showed highest stem length and higher number of leaves compared to the control treatment. Nematicidal effect of A . glabra aqueous extract is more effective than T . viride but lower than T . harzianum when considering above ground plant growth parameters. 125 g/L of A . glabra plant aqueous leaf extract and 140 mg/L of fungal mycelium T . viride extract and 100 mg/L of T . harzianum concentrations showed the highest effect for controlling root knot nematodes. This study concludes that there is a nematicidal activity of A . glabra aqueous plant leaf extract even at lowest concentration (100 mg/L) and extracellular metabolites of T . harzianum and T . viride on M . incognita.
