Abstract:
Experiments were carried out in the laboratory to evaluate the effects of aqueous extracts of leaves, seeds and roots of Datura stramonium at different concentrations on mortality of Globodera rostochiensis juveniles. Volumes of 5 mL of the extract at 100 (crude extract), 50, 25 and 12.5% dilutions were dispensed separately into Petri dishes containing 20 freshly hatched second stage juveniles (J2s) of G. rostochiensis. Juvenile mortality was recorded at 24, 48 and 72 h intervals. The treatments were replicated four times. Petri dishes were arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test for the differences (means) among the extracts and the dilutions. The results showed that the crude extracts (100%) of all extracts and 50% dilution of roots and seeds caused 100% mortality after 24 h exposure. This study established that aqueous extracts of D. stramonium has the potential for use as a bionematicide. Further experiments are required to confirm their effect under cropping conditions. There is also a need to analyze the phytochemicals of the plant which cause nematode mortality.
