Nematicidal Activity of Azadirachta Indica (Neem) Leaf Extracts Against Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne Species

Abstract

Meloidogyne species are among the most significant plant-parasitic nematodes, affecting a wide range of agricultural crops worldwide. The study was aimed to determine the nematicidal activity of Azadirachta indica (Neem) leaf extract against root-knot nematode Meloidogyne species. A. indica was extracted by maceration method and phytochemical analysis was conducted using conventional method. Eggs were obtained from a culture of nematode infected roots of tomato. The in-vitro nematicidal assay of the prepared leaf extracts on juveniles of nematodes was conducted using standard method. The phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloid, saponin, steroid, phenol, flavonoid, and tannin, anthraquinones and terpenoid. Steroid was only present in ethanol extract. The result showed that the activity of the extract was dose dependent. Aqueous extract at highest concentration (200mg/ml) has the highest activity with average of 36.5 death while concentration of 25 mg/ml has an average of 14.25 death while ethanol extract at highest concentration (200mg/ml) has the highest activity with average of 42 death while concentration of 25 mg/ml has an average of 16.75 death. However, the ethanol extract showed higher activity than aqueous extract. It is concluded that the extracts of A. indica possesses nematicidal activity