Nematicidal Activity of Aloe vera Extract/Exudates on Root-knot Nematodes (M. incognita) Associated with Tomato (Lycopersicun esculentum) Plant Growth Parameters

Abstract

Nematicidal activity of Aloe vera plant at different concentration treatments were evaluated to determine its effect on root-knot nematode. The study was conducted in the Federal College of Forestry Jos, Plateau State of Nigeria between March and May, 2017. Nematicidal activity of Aloe vera was tested on tomato associated with M. incognita using 80 mg/ml, 70 mg/ml, 60 mg/ml, 50 mg/ml and 40 mg/ml. Three (3) blocks in area of about 300 m2 partitioned into five (5) plots with 1m alley each in-between plots and blocks and each plot was about 50 m2 for one (1) treatment between the tested nematicidal extract. Modified Baermann Funnel Method was used for nematode extractions and 70% ethanol was used for Aloe vera analysis. A complete randomized design (CRD) was used and data collected were analyzed using analysis of variances (ANOVA) to determine the significant differences. The results showed that there was a significant different at p≤0.05 level in nematode population and improved tomato growth and yield, the highest concentration in reducing the population numbers of the M. incognita, improving tomato plant growth parameters is the 80 mg/ml and the order of performance are 80 mg/ml > 70 mg/ml > 60 mg/ml > 50 mg/ml > 40 mg/ml respectively. 80 mg/ml treatments on tomato plant height in week one results in (18.00) which was higher in week three (26.00) when compared with 40 mg/ml treatments in week one (8.00) and week three (13.00). Finally, the results obtained could be an outcome of the nematicidal contents of the extracts in inhibiting nematodes, Meloidogyne incognita proliferation and can be used as a bio-control agent.