Vol. 11, Special Issue 8 (2022)

Author(s):
B Aswini, B Anita, A Shanthi and D Jeya Sundara Sharmila

Abstract:
Meloidogyne incognita, an endoparasitic root knot nematode, is mostly responsible for substantial yield loss in horticultural crops. Recently, increasing attention has been placed on creating environmentally friendly nematode management techniques for sustained crop production. Utilizing botanicals is one such eco-friendly method. The effectiveness of Tithonia diversifolia, a herbaceous blooming plant that has been widely used as an attractive plant and also possesses nematicidal qualities, was investigated through experiments. From plants kept in a glass house, T. diversifolia leaves were obtained. Using ethyl acetate, fresh leaf extract was prepared and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes. The extract was purified using Whatman no. 1 filter paper and utilised as a stock solution for further research. The extract was made in various dilutions, and its effectiveness against M. incognita was tested under in vitro conditions. It was observed how T. diversifolia leaf extract affected nematode egg hatching and juvenile mortality. When Meloidogyne incognita eggs were exposed to a 20 percent extract of Tithonia diversifolia, the eggs' capacity to hatch fell by 99 percent in under 24 hours. Similarly, when juvenile Meloidogyne incognita (J2) was exposed to a 20% extract of Tithonia diversifolia, 99 percent of the juveniles died within 72 hours.