Effect of wood vinegar, humic acid and Effective Microorganisms against Meloidogyne javanica on tomato

Root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica is the most economically important plant-parasitic nematode worldwide. Because of the environmental hazards of chemical nematicides used to control this nematode, there is an urgent need to replace these nematicides with alternative compounds that are environmentally friendly.

An experiment was conducted to control M. javanica infestation on tomato plants (cv. Early-Urbana) using wood vinegar at the rates of 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 percent (v/v), Effective Microorganisms (EM®) at the rates of 5, 10 and 15 percent (v/v), humic acid at the rates of 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 percent (v/v) and tervigo (positive control) at the rate of 0.4 percent (v/v), in greenhouse.

EM® at the highest concentration (15%) was the most effective organic compound which reduced the nematode indices. Shoot length, shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight increased by 41, 28 and 36%, respectively. The number of eggs, galls, egg masses per root system and reproduction factor were decreased by 58, 48, 49 and 57% in treated tomato with EM® at the rate of 15%, compared to control (non-treated) plants, respectively.

The organic compounds used in the present study are effective to control M. javanica on tomato under greenhouse conditions.