Essential Oils as Potent Source of Nematicidal Compounds

Abstract

Bioassay tests were conducted to find out the nematicidal activity of eight essential oils against Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood at four concentrations. Maximum activity was recorded in oils of Eucalyptus citriodora , Eucalyptus hybrida and Ocimum basilicum followed by Pelargonium graveolens , Cymbopogon martinii, Mentha arvensis, Mentha piperita and Mentha spicata oils, respectively. The eucalyptus ( E. citriodora and E. hybrida ) and Indian basil ( O. basilicum ) oils were highly toxic to M. incognita even at the lower concentrations, namely 500 and 250 ppm. The remaining oils were also toxic to the nematode but at different amounts.