Screening indigenous nematicidal plants in Zimbabwe against Meloidogyne javanica: paper presented at a conference held on the 14th-16th July 2015, Elephant Hills Resort, Victoria Fallls, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Plant parasitic nematodes are one of the major economically important pests of Solanaceous plants in many regions of the world including Zimbabwe, with Meloidogyne javanica, (rootknot nematode) being considered the most destructive. Recent prohibition of main soil chemical fumigants for the control of Meloidogyne javanica has prompted for the search of other alternatives to manage root knot nematodes in the horticultural industry. The present research explored plants with nematicidal properties against root knot nematode, M. javanica. Depending on plant medicinal value, leaves or bark or roots of 19 indigenous medicinal plants were screened invivo on highly susceptible tomato variety (Red khaki). Ten plant extracts caused more than 50% gall reduction during screening under acetone extraction method. Application of botanicals was found to significantly (p≤ 0.05) reduce the formation of root galls on tomato plants. It was concluded from this study that plant extracts are potential botanical nematicides as they have ability to suppress the attack of tomato plants by phyto- nematodes and they can be used as a safe and resourceful control strategy, which can complement other control tools.