Influence of High Dilutions of <i>Cina</i> for the Control of <i>Meloidogyne incognita</i> in Tomato Plants

Abstract

Considering the importance of the tomato crop and the high costs for controlling Meloidogyne incognita with resistant cultivar or nematicides, it is necessary for the search of new alternatives to manage the root-knot disease. The homeopathy may be an alternative way of control, by inducing plant resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the homeopathic product Cina at dynamizations 12, 24, 50, 100, 200, and 400 CH (centesimal hahnemanian dilutions) on the number of root galls, eggs and second-stage juveniles (J 2 ) present in the roots of tomato and soil, as well as on the growth of tomato plants. The Cina demonstrated effectiveness in stimulating root development, once the results of root volume were higher in homeopathic treatments than those in the control. Cina 100 CH also favored the growth of the stalk diameter of the plants. However, the homeopathic product showed no nematostatic nor nematicide effects. The potentized Cina is capable to induce tomato growth besides the presence of M. incognita infecting the roots, with no nematotoxic effects.

Gas exchange and photosynthetic light response curves in nematode-infected tomato plants treated with Thuya occidentalis

“…Furthermore, when infecting a host plant, the nematode rapidly breaks physiological routes involving most of the major processes, such as respiration, photosynthesis, nutrient translocation, and hormone and water balance (Karssen and Moens, 2006). Some studies have focused on controlling nematode infections in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) using highly diluted substances (Sukul et al, 2013;Swarowsky et al, 2014;Mioranza et al, 2017), which may activate plant defense mechanisms and induce resistance. For instance, Mioranza et al (2017) studied the use of Thuya occidentalis in the control of M. incognita in tomato plants, and observed that the dynamization of 100CH can reduce the number of nematodes, while the 24CH and 200CH improved the growth parameters of plants and increased the activity of some plant defense related enzymes, such as peroxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase.. Messchimidt (2013) found that plants infected with M. javanica have increase in photosynthesis until the 60 days after inoculation and after that, there was a reduction.…”

Effect of Homeopathic Preparations on Lettuce, Parasitized or Not by Meloidogyne enterolobii

“…Cina and Thuya (derived from Thuja occidentalis L.), at different Hahnemannian concentrations (c), were assessed in greenhouse conditions against M. incognita parasitizing tomato. [9][10][11] In these studies, homeopathy generally had no or only marginal effect on the nematode. In one instance, nematode reproduction actually increased after treatment with Cina 24, 100, 200 and 400c.…”

“…since there are reports of enhanced tolerance, 4,5,11 and reports of no or marginal enhancement. 9,10 Meloidogyne sp. encompasses several species that are highly damaging to plant vascular tissues, hormonal balance, and phenology.…”

Effect of homeopathic nematicide pellets on plant-nematode interaction under controlled conditions

“…Homeopathic medicines such as Cina (prepared from the flowering meristems of Artemisia nilagirica (Clarke) pamp and Aakashmoni (prepared from the funicles of Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn) were highly effective in ameliorating mulberry diseases of root-knot (Meloidogyne incognita), leaf spot (Cercospora moricola), powdery mildew (Phyllactinia corylea) and tukra disease (Maconellicoccus hirsutus) as well as improved the plant growth (Datta & Datta, 2011). Swarowsky et al, (2014) and Sukul et al, (2013) reported the effectiveness of potentized Cina reduced the number of root galls, eggs and second-stage juveniles (J2) of Meloidogyne incognita as well as improved the growth of vegetables.…”