Plant Extracts and their Role in Management of Juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita

The crude extracts of fruit leaves viz., Citrus aurantifolia (lemon); Annona squamosa (custard apple), Psidium guajava (guava), Musa species (banana) and Aegle marmelos (bel) were obtained by fractionating with organic solvent petroleum ether (60°C-80°C). Juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita were exposed to various concentrations viz., 250, 500, 1000 & 2000 ppm of the plant extracts for 3, 6, 24, 48 and 72 h. Citrus aurantifolia at 500 ppm was sufficient to immobilize more than 50% of the juveniles after 24 h, whereas 1000 ppm showed 100% mortility after 72 h, other extracts were toxic at 100 ppm showing more than 50% mortality after 24 h. Thus all the extracts had nematostatic properties and effective against M. incognita juveniles. LC₅₀ value showed that out of five extracts Citrus aurantifolia was found to be the most effective.