Determination of the effectiveness of myristica fragrans houtt (magnoliales: myristicaceae) plant extracts against pratylenchus thornei sher et allen (tylenchida: pratylenchidae)

Pratylenchus species cause significant yield losses in cereals and legumes. No registered pesticide can control them, and due to the negative effects of nematicides on human and environmental health, studies are being carried out on alternative methods for their control. Plant extracts are the most important alternative control methods. Many natural plants contain secondary compounds that have biopesticide effects against pests. In this study, methanol, acetone and water extracts of Myristica fragrans Houtt (Magnoliales: Myristicaceae) were tested against Pratylenchus thornei Sher et Allen (Tylenchida: Pratylenchidae) in vitro and in vivo (greenhouse-pot) conditions. Under in vitro conditions, the 1%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10% doses of methanol, acetone, and water extracts of M. fragrans were applied against P. thornei, and the experiment was conducted with 5 replications and repeated twice. In the in vitro experiment, the mortality rates were determined at 24, 48, and 72 hours. According to the experimental results, the lowest mortality rate was 19.96% in the 1% water extract after 24 hours, while the highest mortality rate was determined to be 85.86% in the 1% acetone extract after 72 hours. In vivo (greenhouse/pot) conditions, the experiments were set up in a randomised block design with 4 replications and repeated 2 times. Ten weeks after inoculation, root and soil samples were taken, and counts were made under a microscope. According to the test results, the lowest reproduction rate was 0.48 in the 10% water extract, and the highest was 0.94 in the 1% water extract. According to the findings obtained from the experiment, it was determined that the methanol, acetone, and water extracts of M. fragrans suppressed P. thornei, and it has been identified as having the potential to be used as an alternative to chemical pesticides in the control of Pratylenchus spp.