Nematodes are tiny, microscopic round worms which are subterranean in nature and affect almost all the agricultural crops and cause substantial yield loss to the farmers. Nematode management over years relied on chemical methods. Owing to the ill effects with the application of chemicals, ecofriendly methods are gaining importance now a days in nematode management.
Marigold is an effective antagonistic plant against nematodes. The plant, by the production of alpha terthienyl bithenyl compounds from its roots, repel the nematodes and reduce its population. Understanding the mechanism involved in the antagonistic nature of the plants will result in the better enhancement of the nematode management practices in an environmental friendly approach.
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is the most important solanaceous vegetable. In India, it is produced around 1, 75, 00,000 MT/ha. Lycopene, an antioxidant is the primary product of tomato, which gives colour to the fruit and protects humans against cancer and heart diseases. Moreover the fruit is also rich in Vitamin A and C.
Among the yield reducing factors in tomato, root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita is the only species known to cause economic damage and often happens to be the major limiting factor in the successful cultivation of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) In affected roots, the functional root system gets modified to galls and it impairs the uptake of water and nutrients. Poor development of root system makes the plant highly susceptible to drought. The entire root system may be shallow with excessive branching.
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
Methodology
Results of the studies
Discussion
Literatures Cited
Research Objectives and Focus
This work investigates the efficacy of Marigold (Tagetes species) and its plant products as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective management strategy for controlling the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita. The research aims to evaluate the nematicidal properties of various plant parts (leaf, flower, root, stem) of different Tagetes varieties under both in vitro laboratory conditions and glasshouse experiments, while also analyzing the nutrient content (NPK) of these plant materials to determine their potential as biological amendments.
- Effect of different Tagetes plant parts on nematode egg hatching and juvenile mortality.
- Comparative efficacy of various Tagetes species and cultivars in greenhouse settings.
- Impact of acetone extracts on the growth parameters of infected tomato plants.
- Evaluation of the chemical composition (NPK) of Tagetes species in relation to their nematicidal activity.
Excerpt from the Book
Marigold, an effective candidate in nematode control
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is the most important solanaceous vegetable. In India, it is produced around 1, 75, 00,000 MT/ha. Lycopene, an antioxidant is the primary product of tomato, which gives colour to the fruit and protects humans against cancer and heart diseases. Moreover the fruit is also rich in Vitamin A and C.
Among the yield reducing factors in tomato, root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita is the only species known to cause economic damage and often happens to be the major limiting factor in the successful cultivation of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) In affected roots, the functional root system gets modified to galls and it impairs the uptake of water and nutrients. Poor development of root system makes the plant highly susceptible to drought. The entire root system may be shallow with excessive branching.
Annual yield loss due to this nematode is 49 per cent (Zalom, 2003). Use of chemical nematicides is gradually phased out worldwide due to their high mammalian toxicity and alternative methods are being taken up. Now a days botanicals are gaining importance because of their easy availability, low cost and ecofriendly nature. Many workers have studied the efficacy of the botanicals against nematode species with varying degrees of success.
Summary of Chapters
Preface: Introduces the agricultural impact of root-knot nematodes and the potential of Marigold as an ecofriendly, antagonistic alternative to chemical nematicides.
Introduction: Outlines the economic importance of tomato, the severity of M. incognita damage, and reviews existing literature on the biocidal properties of Tagetes species.
Methodology: Details the experimental procedures for cultivating pure M. incognita cultures, preparing various plant extracts, conducting in vitro and glasshouse screenings, and performing nutrient analyses.
Results of the studies: Presents empirical data on the inhibition of egg hatching and juvenile mortality using different concentrations of Tagetes extracts, alongside plant growth metrics.
Discussion: Interprets the experimental findings, confirming the nematicidal potential of Tagetes flower extracts and their role in enhancing tomato plant growth compared to control groups.
Literatures Cited: Provides a comprehensive bibliography of the scientific sources and references utilized throughout the research.
Key Words
Marigold, Tagetes, Meloidogyne incognita, root knot nematode, nematode management, botanical nematicides, biocontrol, tomato, egg hatching, juvenile mortality, plant extracts, intercropping, soil amendments, alpha-terthienyl, sustainable agriculture
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of Marigold (Tagetes species) and its various plant parts as a natural, ecofriendly method to control the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, in tomato cultivation.
What are the central themes of the work?
The central themes include the nematicidal and nematostatic activity of Tagetes extracts, the comparison of different Tagetes varieties, the optimization of application methods, and the assessment of plant growth parameters in treated crops.
What is the primary goal of the study?
The goal is to determine the potential of Tagetes species to inhibit M. incognita egg hatching and juvenile development, thereby providing a viable alternative to toxic chemical nematicides.
Which scientific methods are applied in this work?
The study employs in vitro laboratory screening for egg hatching and mortality, glasshouse trials for crop performance analysis, and analytical laboratory methods such as the Micro-kjeldahl method for nitrogen, colorimetric methods for phosphorus, and flame photometry for potassium.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body details the preparation of acetone extracts, the systematic observation of nematode suppression across different concentrations, and the statistical analysis of how these treatments influence plant growth, such as shoot length, root weight, and gall reduction.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include Marigold (Tagetes), Meloidogyne incognita, botanical nematicides, nematode management, sustainable agriculture, and biocontrol.
How effective were flower extracts compared to other plant parts?
The findings indicate that flower extracts of T. erecta were consistently superior in inhibiting egg hatching and increasing juvenile mortality compared to leaf, root, or stem extracts.
Does Tagetes also improve plant health beyond killing nematodes?
Yes, the study observes that the application of Tagetes extracts significantly enhances growth parameters in infected tomato plants, including increased shoot and root length and higher biomass, compared to untreated control plants.
Are there significant differences in the nutrient content of Tagetes parts?
While the study analyzed nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels, it concludes that the variations in nutrient content are not significant enough to be the primary cause of the observed nematicidal efficacy.
- Quote paper
- Sankari Meena (Author), M. Sivakumar (Author), 2004, Marigold as an Effective Candidate in Nematode Control, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/301991
