Nematicide and nematostatic potential of Curcuma longa on Meloidogyne incognita

Abstract

The root knot nematodes can reduce yield potential of plants, thus requiring searching control methods that are effective and eco-friendly. The purpose of this study was to analyze the efficiency of turmeric rhizome aqueous extract (Curcuma longa) on hatching, immobilization and mortality of juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita. A completely randomized design was used, with concentrations of 1%, 5%, 10% and 15% of turmeric extract and distilled water as a control treatment, with four replications. The juveniles of nematodes were directly exposed to turmeric extract for 24 h, while eggs were exposed during 15 days. The turmeric extract on J2 of Meloidogyne incognita, in vitro tests, promoted from the concentration of 10% total paralysis of nematodes and in the concentration of 15% more than 90% mortality. All tested concentrations caused reduction in juveniles hatching. Thereby, the turmeric aqueous extract has nematicidal potential against M. incognita, encouraging its study in the interaction plant-nematode.

Keywords

• turmeric
• alternative control
• root knot nematode