Potential role of aqueous extracts of Aghada plant on root-knot nematode parasitism in tomato

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an economical and commercial fruit crop of tropical and subtropical India. Despite having production, the Tomato growers unable to produce quality fruits as per the market demand because of abiotic and biotic stress factors. Insect-pests and disease incidence are one of the major hindrances for quality production. Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) parasitisms have aggravated the problem of Tomato wilt in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. In the present study, soil and root sampling were conducted in infested Tomato Crop from Sangmaner tehsil for nematode isolation and identification. Root galls were dissected for female and egg mass isolation and the perineal pattern of the female have confirmed the nematode species (M. javanica). Use of locally available plant extracts as botanicals against nematodes would be cheap, nontoxic alternative available with farmers. Aghada (Achyranthes aspera) plant contains triterpenoid saponins which possess oleanolic acid as the aglycone which may have anti-nematode property. The succulent stem of Aghada was washed, ground in mortar pestle for fine powder formation and filtered through muslin cloth for an aqueous suspension. Different dilutions of stem extract (10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%) were prepared. The results showed juvenile’s mortality observed at 65%, 51.66%, 93.33%, 100% and 100% with each concentration, respectively within 24-120 hours of exposure. However, increasing the concentration of extract has increased juvenile mortality within less time. Our in vitro studies have illustrated the aqueous stem extract of Achyranthes aspera has antinematode properties against M. javanica in Tomato.