Control of Meloidogyne incognita infestation in tomato by Rauvolfia tetraphylla

Ethanol extract of root, leaf and fruit of Rauvolfia tetraphylla were assayed against Meloidogyne incognita juveniles (J₂). The juveniles were exposed in root, leaf and fruit extract at 2 mg/ml concentration for 6 hours in the laboratory. All the three extracts of Rauvolfia tetraphylla exhibited highly promising mortality (60 95%) after 6 hours exposure. Ethanol extract of root and fruit, dissolved in distilled water when applied by foliar spray at the concentration of 2mg/ml on tomato, inoculated with Meloidogyne incognita juveniles (J₂), reduced nematode infestation and promoted plant growth. Root and fruit extract treatment on tomato has increased significant resistance to Meloidogyne incognita infestation in terms of reduced root galling and increased biomass. Leaf extract though caused 60% mortality of Meloidogyne incognita juveniles in in vitro test had no significance effect in controlling Meloidogyne incognita infestation in tomato plant.