Impact of Ecological Friendly Treatments on Meloidogyne incognita Infected Ground Cherry

Abstract

The main efforts of scientists to reduce appliance of nematicides that are commonly found in the markets, led to an increase in the demand safety, effective and environment friendly alternatives. Hence, the present research aims to test three safety and effective substances (Potassium silicate; Furfural and Albendazole) single or in combination in the control of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita infecting ground cherry plants (Physalis pruinosa L.) under field conditions. The obtained results revealed that all tested materials decreased M. incognita J2 population density. Individual treatments gave average reduction percentages of M. incognita J2 as: Potassium silicate 39.4%; Furfural 55.9% and Albendazole 52.1%. The triple treatment (Potassium silicate + Furfural + Albendazole) gave the best results, as it led to decrease in the number of M. incognita J2 by 72.3% more than that occurred by the chemical nematicide (Oxamyl 24%), which gave a reduction percentage of 65.6%. The triple treatment also led to decrease in the numbers of mature females; egg masses and root gall index by 96.5, 95.4 and 83.3%, respectively, while the Oxamyl 24% gave 86.9, 90.5 and 83.3 %, respectively. In addition, the triple treatment caused improvement in the vegetative and fruiting characteristics of treated plants. Thus, triple treatments can be recommended as a safety alternative for plants and humans instead of chemical nematicides in integrated nematode control programs.