Allelopathic inhibition of seedling emergence in dicotyledonous crops by Cucumis bio-nematicide

Crop yield reduction is proportional to the initial nematode numbers at planting. Thus, nematicidal seed dressing is important in the management of plant-parasitic nematodes. When used as postemergent bio-nematicide, crude extracts of ground Cucumis myriocarpus fruits consistently suppress numbers of the southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita). This study was initiated to determine suitability of crude extracts of ground C. myriocarpus fruits as a pre-emergent bionematicide on 10 cultivars of different dicotyledonous crops. In each trial, ten levels of crude extracts of C. myriocarpus fruits viz. 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 2.00 and 2.25 g, were arranged in a randomised complete block design (RCBD), with five replicates, under greenhouse conditions. Successful seedling emergence was recorded. Seedling emergence percentage had significant (P ≤ 0.01) negative quadratic relationship with concentrations of crude extracts, with the concentration of crude extracts of C. myriocarpus explaining more than 90% to the total treatment variation in mean seedling emergence of all tested crops. In conclusion, crude extracts of ground C. myriocarpus fruits are not suitable for use as pre-emergent bio-nematicide for seed dressing in the 10 tested crops.Key words: Allelochemicals, allelopathy, auto-allelopathy, concentration-dependent, cucurbitacin A, crude extracts, synthetic nematicides

Medicinal plant cultivation for sustainable use and commercialisation of high-value crops

Many traditional healing systems are based on natural biological resources, and there is a general shift in most parts of the world towards natural medicine, with direct implications on the demand and supply of medicinal plants. This review highlights the economic importance of medicinal plants, their contribution to healthcare systems, and potential opportunities for rural economic development through cultivation.  A systematic literature review with specific search terms related to medicinal plants was used to collect scientific and non-scientific information from peer-reviewed literature and grey literature databases. The findings indicate that trade in medicinal plants is increasing, and although they are considered minor crops compared to major food crops, their value is among the highest in the list of traded plants globally. The trade also serves as a revenue source for many rural livelihoods, with women playing a significant role. Medicinal plants contribute to primary health care in many developing countries, and they are also an essential source of modern drug discovery. Cultivation of medicinal plants offers emerging rural farmers an opportunity to grow these plants as new and alternative crops, thus reducing unsustainable wild harvesting and competition with established commercial farmers who mostly focus on food crops. Furthermore, medicinal plant cultivation should be promoted as one of the options for local economic development and sustainability through job creation, the revival of the rural economy, and income generation for small businesses, such as the transport businesses, involved in the value chain. Land accessibility, financial resources, and direct market access for rural communities can elevate their contribution to the industry. Formalisation of the lower levels of the medicinal plant trade is also recommended. Significance:• Cultivation is a viable option for biodiversity conservation of medicinal plants and ensuring a goodquality supply of plant materials.• Cultivation of medicinal plants – a source of natural products used in product development – can contribute to job creation, income generation, and rural economies in developing countries.• This review underlines the importance of medicinal plants in product development, the contribution of the industry to economies of different countries, and the potential for cultivation

Role of effective microorganisms in efficacy of Nemarioc-AG phytonematicide on suppression of Meloidogyne incognita and growth of tomato plants

The release of active ingredient chemicals in conventional organic amendments is primarily through microbial degradation, whereas in granular phytonematicides, leaching through irrigation water had been implied as a probable mechanism. The objective of this study was to determine the role of effective microorganisms (EM) on the efficacy of Nemarioc-AG (NAG; G = granular formulation) phytonematicide on suppression of root-knot (Meloidogyne species) nematodes and growth of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants. A 5 × 6 factorial experiment, with EM at 0%, 0.14%, 0.17%, 0.20% and 0.25% and phytonematicide at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 g per plant, was conducted under microplot conditions. Each plant was inoculated with 11,000 eggs and second-stage juveniles (J2) of Meloidogyne incognita. Seventy days after initiating the treatments, the interactions were not significant (P ≥ .05) on all variables, but the main factors were highly significant. Regression of nematode population densities, root gall and dry shoot mass over increasing phytonematicide concentration exhibited quadratic relations, which were explained by 93%, 97% and 99%, respectively. In contrast, stem diameter and phytonematicide concentration had a positive linear relation, which was explained by 98%. Nematode numbers over increasing EM concentration exhibited quadratic relation, which was explained by 97%. All plant variables and EM had no significant relations. In conclusion, the efficacy of NAG phytonematicide on nematode suppression and plant growth was independent of EM activities, suggesting that irrigation water played a major role in the efficacy of the product in granular formulation

Interrelations between commercial beetroot (Beta vulgaris) cultivars and Meloidogyne species

Most beetroot (Beta vulgaris) cultivars in South Africa are exotic and were specifically bred for root-knot (Meloidogyne species) nematode populations in their countries of origin. Due to the widespread distribution of different Meloidogyne species and races, exotic cultivars should be matched with nematode populations in importing countries. The objective of this study was to determine the interrelations between exotic beetroot cultivars ‘Detroit Red Dark’ and ‘Crimson Globe’ with Meloidogyne species in the predominant beetroot-producing regions in South Africa. Different inoculum series of M. incognita and M. javanica were used on the two beetroot cultivars. At 56 days after initiating the treatments, roots of both cultivars had small undeveloped root galls, with the reproductive factor values of M. incognita on ‘Detroit Dark Red’ being above and below unity at low (≤125 inoculation) and high (≥250 inoculation) nematode levels, respectively. Growth of ‘Detroit Dark Red’ was significantly stimulated and inhibited at low and high nematode infection levels, respectively. In contrast, RF values for M. javanica on ‘Crimson Globe’ were below unity, without any significant effects on plant growth. In conclusion, ‘Detroit Dark Red’ was tolerant to M. incognita, whereas ‘Crimson Globe’ was resistant to M. javanica

Efficacy of fresh fruit from Cucumis myriocarpus as Nemarioc-AL phytonematicide on suppression of root-knot nematodes in tomato plant production

Experimental System: Fermented dried fruit of wild cucumber (Cucumis myriocarpus Naude.) Had been successfully used as Nemarioc-AL phytonematicide in managing plant-parasitic nematodes in various cropping systems. However, the specialised oven-drying equipment are inaccessible to most resource-poor smallholder farmers in marginalised communities. Procedures: The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of fermented crudes extracts of C. myriocarpus fruit when used in fresh form as Nemarioc-AL phytonematicide on management of population densities of root-knot (Meloidogyne species) nematodes and growth of tomato (Solanum lycorpersicum L.) plants. Seedlings at five leaf-stage were transplanted into pots containing 2700 ml steam-pasteurised river sand and Hygromix at 3:1 (v/v) ratio. Each seedling was inoculated with approximately 3000 eggs and second-stage juveniles (J2) at transplanting. The phytonematicide was applied at 0%, 2%, 4%, 8%, 16%, 32% and 64%, arranged in a randomised complete block design, with five replications and validated in time. Results: At 56 days after treatment, nematode variables and phytonematicide concentrations exhibited negative quadratic relations, with coeffients of determination (COD) ranging from 93% to 97%. Similarly, plant variables and phytonematicide concentrations exhibited positive quadratic relations, with COD from 96% to 98%. Conclusions: In conclusion, when prepared from fresh fruit of C. myriocarpus, Nemarioc-AL phytonematicide was suitable for use in managing nematode population densities of Meloidogyne species in tomato production

Influence of cucurbitacin-containing phytonematicides on selected nutrient elements in leaf tissues of green bean under greenhouse conditions

Cucurbitacin-containing phytonematicides consistently reduce nematode population densities in various crops. However, there is no information on how these products affect the accumulation of essential nutrient elements in crops. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of Nemafric-BL and Nemarioc-AL phytonematicides on accumulation of essential nutrient elements in leaf tissues of green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under greenhouse conditions. Weekly application of phytonematicides each at 0%, 2%, 4%, 8%, 16% and 32%, were assessed on plant growth variables, nematode suppression and nutrient elements (Ca, K, Na, Fe, Zn) in leaf tissues of green bean at 56 days after initiating the treatments. Phytonematicide concentrations significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected nematode numbers and nutrient elements, without affecting plant growth. Calcium (R2 = 0.97), K (R2 = 0.93), Na (R2 = 0.94) and Fe (R2 = 0.91) each with increasing Nemafric-BL phytonematicide concentration exhibited positive quadratic relations. In contrast, K (R2 = 0.97) and Fe (R2 = 0.98) each with increasing Nemarioc-AL phytonematicide concentration exhibited positive quadratic relations, whereas Na (R2 = 0.92) and Zn (R2 = 0.72) each with increasing phytonematicide concentration exhibited negative quadratic relations. In conclusion, accumulation of essential nutrient elements in green bean leaf tissues and increasing phytonematicide concentrations exhibited density-dependent growth patterns prior to the eventual expression of plant growth responses

Host-status of 20 sweet potato lines to Meloidogyne species in South Africa

Experimental system: Due to serious economic challenges posed by root-knot (Meloidogyne species) nematodes in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) production, the Sweet Potato Programme (SPP) of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) in South Africa has since included screening for nematode host-status in its breeding-selection activities. Procedures: 20 sweet potato lines were screened against M. javanica, M. incognita race 2 and M. incognita race 4 in parallel trials inoculated with 3000 eggs and second-stage juveniles (J2) per established cutting. Results: At 56 days after inoculation, the reproductive potential (RP) of all test Meloidogyne species on sweet potato line 1990-10-2 was zero, whereas RP values on other lines were 19.48–342.7, 31.9–995.1 and 10.3–380.44 ranges for M. javanica, M. incognita race 2 and M. incognita race 4, respectively. Conclusion: Among the test sweet potato lines, line 1990-10-2 was non-host to populations of tropical Meloidogyne species in South Africa and could, therefore, be subjected to nematode resistance tests