Hydrogel based formulations of Tagetes patula root extract and MgSO4 to control Meloidogynae incognita in cucumber

Abstract

Root knot nematode (Meloidogynae incognita) infestation and low magnesium use efficiency are serious constraints in polyhouse cultivation of cucumber. Novel combination formulations of Tagetes patula root extract containing the nematicidal alpha terthienyl (α-T) and magnesium sulfate were prepared, using the biopolymeric hydrogel as carrier. The test products slowly released the nematicidal α-T with half life (t1/2) of 22.97 and 36.87 days, in water and soil, respectively. Magnesium showed fast release till 3rd Day. Compared with commercial formulations (carbofuran, Furadan 3G®), these formulations showed significantly higher mortality of M. incognita population under in vivo and polyhouse conditions. In 3-months polyhouse study conducted on cucumber crop during 2011-12, the application of formulations containing Mg alone or Mg in combination with root extract significantly increased the crop yield and showed 83% correlation with the magnesium content of leaves. Besides the morphological and physiological parameters of the crop were also improved.