Organic management of root-knot nematodes with non-host weed ( Asphodelus tenuifolius ) Extracts

This study was conductedrnto find the effect of non-host weeds on the organic management of root knotrnnematodes i-e Meloidogyne javanica. Initially survey was conducted inrntwenty fields and weeds plants were checked for galls on their roots. Asphodelusrntenuifolius with no galls on the roots was selected for its efficacyrnagainst root knot nematodes. Root knot nematodes @ 2000 eggs were added to thernrhizosphere of each plant after 10 days of transplantation except C0 (control un-inoculated)rnand C2 (Control with extracts). The aqueous extracts of A. tenuifolius Srn(100%), S1 (50%), S2 (33.3%) and S3 (25%) were applied @ 10ml to each plantrnexcept C0 (Control un-inoculated and un-treated) and C1rn(Control inoculated). Study revealed that extracts from root, upper plant partrnand whole plant of A. tenuifolius were effective against root knotrnnematodes. Extracts applied as stock “S” showed significantly (P ≤ 0.05)rnbetter results (25.87) followed by S1 (40.47) in terms of nematode mortalityrnand galls per root system. Number of egg masses per inch of root system werernreduced significantly with S and S1 i-e 1.67 and 3.00 respectively.rnNumber of eggs per egg mass were also reduced significantly with S (292.73) andrnS1 (296.20) respectively. Aqueous extracts of A.rntenuifolius stimulated fresh shoot weight i-e maximum in case of C2rn(33.17) followed by S (32.77) and dry shoot weight i-e maximum in case of C2rn(5.75) followed by S (4.72 ). In the same way it enhanced plant height i-ern95.67 and 91.53 with C2 and S respectively, along with root lengthrnof tomato plants with C2 (30.47) and S (30.47). No phytotoxicity of A.rntenuifolius on tomato plants was observed.