Root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne species, are strongly destructive and extremely difficult to manage due to their poliphagy and worldwide spread. Control of these parasites has been effectively based on synthetic fumigants, but environmental concerns are imposing the adoption of safer management strategies. Plant essential oils may have a high potential of application as nematicidal soil biofumigants, due to their content of biocidal volatile compounds. Soil fumigation treatments with pure essential oils from five different species, Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus globulus, Mentha pulegium, Pelargonium asperum and Ruta graveolens were comparatively tested at the rates of 50, 100 and 200 ?l kg-1 soil against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita on tomato in pot. Plant growth parameters, gall infestation and nematode multiplication on tomato roots were evaluated after a two-month permanence of plants in a greenhouse at 25 °C. Soil fumigation treatments with essential oils of E. citriodora, E. globulus and P. asperum significantly reduced the number of eggs and juveniles of M. incognita on tomato roots compared to the non-treated control at rates higher than 50 ?l kg-1 soil, whereas oils of M. pulegium and R. graveolens were suppressive only at the highest rate. All treatments, but 50 ?l kg-1 soil of E. citriodora, P. asperum and M. pulegium, significantly reduced also the gall formation on tomato roots. Tomato top and root biomass was significantly increased by all treatments with oils of P. asperum and E. globulus, whereas the highest rate of the oil of R. graveolens and all rates of the oill of M. plulegium resulted in some phytotoxicity. Soil biofumigation with the five essential oils may be an effective tool for a sustainable management of root-knot nematodes, though the essential oils of P. asperum and E. globulus may be preferable, in consideration of their overall higher suppressiveness and positive effects on plant growth.
Potential of soil biofumigation with essential oils for the control of root-knot nematodes on tomato
Nicola Sasanelli;Trifone D'Addabbo
2014
Abstract
Root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne species, are strongly destructive and extremely difficult to manage due to their poliphagy and worldwide spread. Control of these parasites has been effectively based on synthetic fumigants, but environmental concerns are imposing the adoption of safer management strategies. Plant essential oils may have a high potential of application as nematicidal soil biofumigants, due to their content of biocidal volatile compounds. Soil fumigation treatments with pure essential oils from five different species, Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus globulus, Mentha pulegium, Pelargonium asperum and Ruta graveolens were comparatively tested at the rates of 50, 100 and 200 ?l kg-1 soil against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita on tomato in pot. Plant growth parameters, gall infestation and nematode multiplication on tomato roots were evaluated after a two-month permanence of plants in a greenhouse at 25 °C. Soil fumigation treatments with essential oils of E. citriodora, E. globulus and P. asperum significantly reduced the number of eggs and juveniles of M. incognita on tomato roots compared to the non-treated control at rates higher than 50 ?l kg-1 soil, whereas oils of M. pulegium and R. graveolens were suppressive only at the highest rate. All treatments, but 50 ?l kg-1 soil of E. citriodora, P. asperum and M. pulegium, significantly reduced also the gall formation on tomato roots. Tomato top and root biomass was significantly increased by all treatments with oils of P. asperum and E. globulus, whereas the highest rate of the oil of R. graveolens and all rates of the oill of M. plulegium resulted in some phytotoxicity. Soil biofumigation with the five essential oils may be an effective tool for a sustainable management of root-knot nematodes, though the essential oils of P. asperum and E. globulus may be preferable, in consideration of their overall higher suppressiveness and positive effects on plant growth.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
