EFFECTS OF ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE (Meloidogyne javanica) ON PLANTAIN MEDICINAL PLANT (Plantago major)

Medicinal plants such as plantain, Plantago major, due to having various medicinal compounds are of high importance in pharmaceutical industry. In the present research, while assessing the pathogenicity of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica on plantain medicinal plant, the effects of various nematode initial inoculums on plant growth parameters as well as nematode reproduction were investigated. Then seed mucilage content, thousand-seed weight, the amount of Quercitin and Ursolic acid compounds as well as Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium and Calcium elements of infected Plantago major 90 days after inoculation recorded. Plantain found to be sensitive to the nematode and in the infected plants, seed mucilage content, thousand-seed weight and the amount of Ursolic acid compound decreased but amount of root Sodium and Calcium elements and shoot Quercitin increased. While increasing the nematode initial inoculums, shoot fresh weight and root length and fresh weight decreased but root fresh weight increased. The highest reproduction factor was observed in plants inoculated with the lowest level of nematode population tested (1000J2/2kg soil).