Evaluation of Biofumigation Effects on Controlling Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne Incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood, Infecting Pepper Plants (Capsicum annuum L.)

Six fresh brassica biofumigants—including three cultivated and three wild plants: radish (Raphanus sativus L.), arugula (Eruca vesicaria (L.) Cav.), and white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) were mixed with loamy sand soil in pots at a rate of 2 % (w/w) to control the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White)Chitwood infecting pepper plants,Capsicum annuum L. Results revealed that chopped brassica of the six evaluated plants significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced all nematode parameters i.e. number of galls and egg masses , full- grown females , developmental stages in the root system ,number of eggs/egg mass , number of juveniles /250 g soil, final nematode population (Pf) and reproduction factor (RF) compared to control treatment. A significant reduction in Pf and RF was detected in the wild radish treatment (74.72and74.70%), similar to the oxamyl chemical synthetic nematicide (81.72 and 81.00%), respectively.. All brassica treatments significantly improved the growth of pepper plants compared to the control with varying degrees of effectiveness . The study showed that all brassica biofumigants markedly increased the available N, P and K in the soil leading to higher levels of these nutrients in pepper plants. The highest enhancement was obtained when pepper plants were treated with wild radish followed by common cultivated radish treatment. It seems that soil biofumigation with chopped brassica plants may consider ecofriendly and economic measure in controlling root-knot nematodes on pepper, especially in organic farming practice conditions.