Nematicidal activity of few essential oils against root-knot and cyst nematode species

Nematicidal activity of seven essential oils was evaluated against Meloidogyne incognita, Heterodera avenae, H. cajani and H. zeae. Only two oils viz. Indian basil and sacred basil were effective at all concentrations tested. The two fractions of lndian basil-methyl chavicol and linalool, were effective only in combination but individually had no appreciable nematicidal activity. Both the portions of sacred basil-eugenol and non- eugenol, were effective individually as well as in combination, the effectiveness being enhanced in the latter case.