Nematicidal Activity of Essential Oils of Artemisia annua Against Root-knot and Reniform Nematodes

In-vitro toxicity of Artemisia annua was evaluated against J₂ of Meloidogyne incognita and pre-adults of Rotylenchulus reniformis. One hundred % mortality of both the nematode species was found in 500 and 250 ppm concentrations which gradually decreased with the lower concentrations. ED₅₀ was calculated to be 53.96 and 54.83 at 24 hrs of M. incognita and R. reniformis, respectively. The essential oil was subjected to column chromatographyand 12 fractions were collected. These were evaluated for their antinemic properties and fractions I-V were found quite active against both the nematode species. However, VI-XII fractions were comparatively not active. When treated juveniles ofM. incognita were pooled and inoculated on cowpea seedlings, the penetration was hampered with higher concentrations than lower ones, it was more than3 times less penetration in 500 and 250 ppm as compared to control.