<i>Urtica dioica</i> L.: A natural ally for eco-friendly management of <i>Meloidogyne incognita</i> in tomato

The perennial stinging nettle, Urtica dioica L., is a common weed with extensive medicinal uses. Despite its reputation as a weed, U. dioica offers numerous benefits, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antihelminthic properties, which can be harnessed for agricultural purposes. This study evaluates the efficacy of the Aqueous Leaf Extract (ALE) of U. dioica against the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, a major pest in tomato cultivation. We investigated ALE’s effects on nematode egg hatching and mortality and explored greenhouse applications integrating U. dioica green manure with spent mushroom substrate of Pleurotus florida and combining it with lime and ammonium bicarbonate. Our results demonstrated that ALE significantly inhibits egg hatching and increases nematode mortality, with enhanced efficacy observed at higher concentrations and longer exposure periods. The formation of giant vacuoles in nematodes exposed to ALE further support its efficacy. This approach offers a promising, eco-friendly alternative to chemical nematicides, contributing to more sustainable agricultural practices.