Determination of Nematicidal Efficacy of Myristica fragrans Houtt (Magnoliales: Myristicaceae) Plant Extract against Pratylenchus thornei Sher et Allen (Tylenchida: Pratylenchidae) under Laboratory Conditions

Abstract

Cereals and legumes are the main food products in the world and in Türkiye. Research is being carried out to obtain high yields per unit area. There are important diseases and pests that affect the yields of agricultural crops. Pratylenchus spp. are one of the pests that cause significant yield losses in cereals and legumes. Since they are soil-borne pests, their control is also quite difficult. The chemicals used today have some negative effects on the sustainability of agricultural production and human health, for this reason, studies on alternative control methods have increased. One of these alternative methods is the use of plant extracts. Many plants in nature are used as biopesticides against pests as they contain substances such as secondary metabolites. In this study, the effectiveness of Myristica fragrans Houtt (Magnoliales: Myristicaceae) plant extract against Pratylenchus thornei Sher et Allen (Tylenchida: Pratylenchidae) was evaluated under laboratory conditions. In the experiment, 100, 250, 500, 1000 and 2500 ppm doses of ethanol extract of M. fragrans were applied and the experiment was carried out with 4 replicates and 2 replications. The experiments were carried out in 12-well plates. Mortality rates were determined at 24, 48 and 72 hours. As a result of the analysis of M. fragrans essential oil, the main constituent was determined Sabinene 37.18%. This was followed by α-Pinene 29.93%, 2-α-Pinene 19.00% and dl-Limonene 3.31%, respectively. According to the results of the experiment, the lowest mortality rate at the end of 24 hours was determined at 100 ppm with 4.93%. The mortality rate was found to be 27.02% at 2500 ppm and 85.81% for the positive control nematicide Abamectin. At the end of 48th hour, the lowest mortality rate was determined at 100 ppm with 14.14%. The mortality rate was found to be 72.70% at 2500 ppm and 89.39% for the positive control nematicide Abamectin. At the end of 72 hours, the lowest mortality rate was determined at 100 ppm with 26.57%. The mortality rate was found to be 75.33 % at 2500 ppm and 92.50 % for the positive control nematicide Abamectin. According to the results, it was determined that the ethanol extract of M. fragrans suppressed P. thornei and had the potential to be used in the control of the nematode.