Evaluation of Leaf Extract of Pawpaw (Carica papaya (L.)) in the Control of Root-knot Nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) in Garden Egg (Solanum melongena (L.))

Abstract

The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica is one of the most important soil borne pathogen affecting Garden eggplant in Nigeria. The study was conducted in the Screen house of Department of Crop Protection, Modibbo Adama University of Technology in 2013 to evaluate the effect of (Pawpaw) Carica papaya leaf powder for the control of root-knot nematode M. javanica on Garden egg. The experiment consisted of five treatments replicated three times in a Completely Randomized Design in the screen house. C. papaya powder at different levels 50 g, 40 g, 30 g, 20 g and control which received no treatment were incorporated into fifteen  (15) separate pots of 20cm diameter containing 4 kg sterilized soil. Data collected on plant height (cm), number of leaves, fresh shoot weight (g), fresh root weight, dry root weight (g), gall index and final nematode population. The result indicated that Garden eggplant amended with 50 g C. papaya recorded higher growth parameters, plant height (33.75 cm), number of leaves (29.00), fresh shoot weight (145.40 g), gall index (1.33) and the least final nematode population (160.50), whereas the control recorded the least growth parameters, plant height (10.20cm), number of leaves (9.33), fresh shoot weight (9.76 g) and highest gall index (5.0) and final nematode population (1063.87). It can then concluded that Carica papaya powder when used as an amendment was effective in controlling M. javanica in garden egg under screenhouse and has the potential for use as a nematicide in the future. This study recommends that C. papaya leaf powder should be put to field trials to ascertain its efficacy in controlling M. javanica on garden egg.