The Biofumigation Potential of Wild Radish (Raphanus Raphanustrum) and Field Mustard (Sinapis Arvensis) in Controlling Some Phytoparisitic Nematodes

Abstract

Biofumigation is the process of introducing plants and their residues into the soil to release volatile compounds. Among these plants, those belonging to the Brassicaceae family are the most commonly used ones for biofumigation purposes. These plants are rich in glucosinolates, which upon enzymatic hydrolysis produce compounds such as isothiocyanates, which are approved as nematicides. Raphanus, Sinapis, and Eruca species genera are the most frequently used plants in the Brassicaceae family for biofumigation. This technique is becoming increasingly popular as a sustainable alternative to restricting fumigants in agriculture production. Dry plants (at vegetative and flowering stages) of Raphanus raphanustrum and Sinapis arvensis are incorporated into the soil and evaluated for their biofumigation effects on some phytoparasitic nematodes in comparison to a synthetic nematicide (tefluthrin 1.5%) and untreated control. Thirty days post-incorporation, soil samples were collected for nematode extraction and counting, and subsequently identified at the genus level. We identified four phytoparasitic nematodes that are most harmful to cultivated plants (Tylenchorhynchus, Pratylenchus, Paratylenchus, and Tylenchus). Each treatment decreased nematode population densities from 67% to 92%. Sinapis arvensis biofumigation was the most effective, reducing nematode densities by up to 92%. Conversely, Raphanus raphanustrum and Tefluthrin 1.5% treatments generally resulted in increased nematode densities (up to 74% and 67% respectively). The results of this study have given valuable information and suggest that Sinapis arvensis could be used to manage plant-parasitic nematodes, particularly the Tylenchorhynchus population. Biofumigation is a promising strategy that can be used especially by subsistence farmers for the sustainable production of crops in the presence of lower nematode pest densities.