Nematicidal Potential of Brassica Species against Meloidogyne incognita: An In vitro Study

The root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) poses a significant threat to crop productivity, necessitating eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic nematicides. This study evaluated the in vitro nematicidal efficacy of aqueous leaf extracts from selected canola (Gobhi Sarson Canola 7- GSC 7, Raya Ludhiana Canola-RLC 3) and non-canola (Punjab Brassica Raya- PBR 357, Taramira Ludhiana Composite 2 - TMLC 2) Brassica varieties. Extracts were tested at four concentrations for their ability to inhibit egg hatching and induce second-stage juvenile (J₂) mortality over a 10-day exposure period. All varieties exhibited concentration and time-dependent nematode suppression. Among canola types, RLC 3 showed stronger inhibitory effects than GSC 7, maintaining substantial activity even at lower concentrations. Non-canola varieties outperformed the canola varieties, with TMLC 2 consistently demonstrating the highest level of inhibition and juvenile mortality. Complete egg hatch inhibition was recorded with TMLC 2 at S/2 within 24 hours, while J₂ mortality reached 100% at full-strength (S). PBR 357 also exhibited strong nematicidal activity, although slightly lower than TMLC 2. These findings suggest that non-canola Brassica varieties-particularly TMLC 2 harbours potent bioactive compounds and represent promising candidates for the development of plant-based nematode management strategies aimed at sustainable crop protection.