Evaluation of Biofumigation Effects on Controlling Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne Incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood, Infecting Pepper Plants (Capsicum annuum L.)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Plant Production Department. Fac. Environmental, Agricultural, Sciences, Arish University, Egypt, Al Arish- 45516, Egypt

2 Soil, Water and Environ. Res., Institute, Agric. Res. Center, Giza, Egypt.

3 Department of Nematode Diseases Research, Plant Pathol. Res. Inst., Agric. Res. Centre, Giza, Egypt.

4 Plant Pathology Lab., Plant Production Department, Faculty of Environmental Agricultural Science, Arish University, Al Arish- 45516, Egypt

Abstract

 Six fresh brassica biofumigants—including three cultivated and three wild plants: radish (Raphanus sativus L.), arugula (Eruca vesicaria (L.) Cav.), and white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) were mixed with loamy sand soil in pots at a rate of 2 % (w/w) to  control the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White)Chitwood infecting pepper plants,Capsicum annuum L. Results revealed that chopped brassica  of  the six evaluated plants significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced all nematode parameters i.e. number of galls and egg masses , full- grown females , developmental stages  in the root system ,number of  eggs/egg mass , number of juveniles /250 g soil, final nematode population (Pf) and reproduction factor (RF) compared to control treatment. A significant  reduction in Pf and RF was detected in the wild radish treatment (74.72and74.70%), similar to the oxamyl chemical synthetic nematicide (81.72 and 81.00%), respectively.. All brassica  treatments significantly improved the growth of pepper plants compared  to the control with varying degrees of effectiveness . The study showed that all brassica biofumigants markedly increased the available N, P and K in the soil  leading to higher levels of these nutrients in pepper plants. The highest enhancement was obtained when pepper plants were treated with wild radish followed by common cultivated radish treatment. It seems that soil biofumigation with chopped brassica plants may consider ecofriendly and economic measure in controlling  root-knot nematodes on pepper,  especially  in organic farming practice conditions.

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