The potency of Moringa oleifera and Jatropha curcas leaf extracts as control for root - knot nematode in maize (Zea mays)

The potency of Moringa oleifera and Jatropha curcas leaf extracts as control for root - knot nematode in maize (Zea mays)

2013

E09735

This study, using a 2 x 2 factorial design, was conducted to assess the potency of Moringa oleifera and Jatropha curcas as a biological control for root - knot nematode in Maize. Two varieties of maize (Early white DT quality protein maize hybrid variety and Extra early yellow DT quality protein maize) were each planted and inoculated with 3000 root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita) juveniles. The total number of pots used for the experiment was forty. Five plants each from the two maize varieties were treated with aqueous leaf extracts of M. oleifera and another set treated with J. curcas two weeks after planting, giving a total of twenty pots. The remaining half which did not receive treatment served as control. Plant growth parameters including plant height and number of leaves were recorded on weekly basis while the final soil nematode population and root gall indices were done at the termination of the experiment. Phytochemical screening of the plant extracts was also conducted. Results of phytochemical test showed that M..oleifera contains saponin, tannins, alkaloids, steroids and reducing sugars while J. curcas contains saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, and reducing sugars. Growth parameters of plants treated with M. oleifera performed better (p>0.05) than plants treated with J. curcas while the untreated control plants recorded least growth. There were no statistical differences between the soil nematode population for both treatments, although visual observation showed that soil nematode population was lower in J. curcas treated soils than the M. oleifera treated soil. Thus, it is recommended that M. oleifera and J. curcas extracts be adopted for root knot nematode control for maize production in the study area.

2(1):116-124, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOFUELS AND ALLIED SCIENCES

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