Authors : Ramazan Cetintas and Mehmet Masum Yarba
Abstract: This research was conducted to evaluate the nematicidal activity of five plant essential oils (rosemary, thyme, mint, garlic and sesame) against Southern root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita race 2. Trial was designed as randomized complete block design with three nematode inoculums densities (0, 1000 and 2000 J2 plant-1) and three essential oil volumes (0, 50 and 150 plant μL-1) replicated six times. There were no significant differences between nematode inoculums density and essential oil volumes used. However, all oil treatments suppressed nematode populations and resulted an increase in root mass tissue. Compared with control groups, among the essential oils, thyme (2.82±0.47%) and garlic (5.53±1.68%) treatments reduced root galling significantly and produced the lowest percent of galls on the plants whereas, rosemary, mint and sesame treatments were less effective in reducing root-galling. Compared with control groups thyme (2.46±0.17) and garlic (2.50±0.22) yielded also the lowest egg masses. Among five plant essential oils, application of a rate of 50 μL plant-1 of thyme or garlic in tomato production areas could give the best results in root nematode control and be an alternative to the current control methods. However, more studies need to be conducted in the field and greenhouse conditions to see the possible differences because nematodes and essential oils could be influenced by different experimental conditions.
Ramazan Cetintas and Mehmet Masum Yarba, 2010. Nematicidal Effects of Five Plant Essential Oils on the Southern Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita Race 2. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 9: 222-225.