High dilution of a homeopathic drug Teucrium reduces root-knot nematode infestation of lady’s finger plants through water

Background: High dilutions (HD) of homeopathic drugs are known to reduce nematode infection of crops. In the present study we tested the HD of a plant Teucrium marum varum on root-knot nematode infection of lady’s finger plants. HDs prepared by serial dilution followed by succussion are knows as potencies. Water structure in a potency is thought to carry the information of starting drug molecules. Teucrium potencies are known to reduce nematode infection in children. Objective The objective of the present study is to see whether a Teucrium potency (200 cH) could reduce root-knot nematode infection of lady’s finger plants. Further we want to see whether the anti-nematode effect of Teucrium 200 cH is transferable from one plant to another through water. Methodology: Teucrium 200 cH in 90% EtOH was diluted with deionized and distilled (DD) water and applied on a single leaf of plants inoculated with root-knot nematodes. Another group of inoculated plants was connected with the directly treated plants through water. Results and Discussion: Both the directly treated and connected plants showed significant reduction of nematode infection. Conclusions It is concluded that Teucrium 200 cH ameliorated root-knot nematode disease of plants and the anti-nematode effect of the drug is transferable from one plant to another through water. Key words: Homeopathic potency, Teucrium, Root-knot nematode, Lady’s finger plant, Water.