Research of the effectiveness of some herbal extracts against root–knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White)]

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are pests that have a variety of more than two thousand host plants, which are commonly found in agricultural production fields around the world, and can cause severe yield losses. Because of the high toxic effects of nematicides on environmental and human health, their sustainability cannot be achieved and they are subjected to restrictions due to concerns about their use. In our study, the nematicidal activity of aqueous plant extracts of garlic (Allium sativum L.) (S), ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) (Z) and blackberry (Rubus caesius L.) (B) plants against the second instar (J2) of Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) was researched. Extracts of A. sativum, Z. officinale and R. caesius were carried out as greenhouse-pot trials with two times and four replications at concentrations of 10%, 20% and 40%. According to the results obtained from the trial, nematicidal activity was observed at all extracts, although at different rates. As a result of the study, the least root galling status was observed at 40% concentration of Z (1.63±0.18). The lowest values in egg masses formation, which is another important parameter of the study, were 40% (1.00±0.00) for S, 20% (1.00±0.00) for S, 40% (1.00±0.00) for B and 40% for Z (1.00±0.00) concentrations. At the end of the trials, the lowest J2 density was found in the Z 40% (465.63±0.03) concentrations and the S 40% (481.88±0.05) was statistically in the same group with the experimental character. In this instance, it can be said that all three extracts are effective against root-knot nematodes.