Influence of cucurbitacin-containing phytonematicides on growth, yield and foliar nutrient elements in watermelon production

Abstract

Nemafric-BL and Nemarioc-AL phytonematicides, which are being researched and developed to serve as alternatives to methyl bromide, have not been tested against plant growth and accumulation of essential nutrient elements in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) cultivars. The objectives of this study were two fold, to determine the (1) overall growth responses and accumulation of selected essential nutrient elements in watermelon cultivars ‘Congo’ and ‘Charleston Gray’ and suppression of Meloidogyne javanica in response to increasing concentrations of Nemafric-BL and Nemarioc-AL phytonematicides, and (2) efficacy of Velum, Nemafric-BL and Nemarioc-AL phytonematicides on growth of watermelon, accumulation of selected essential nutrient elements in leaf tissues of cv. ‘Congo’ and the suppression of population densities of Meloidogyne species. Objective 1 and Objective 2 were achieved under greenhouse and field conditions, respectively. At 56 and 90 days after initiating the greenhouse and field treatments, respectively, the data were collected and subjected to statistical analyses. Nemafric-BL phytonematicide significantly affected growth of watermelon cultivars ‘Charleston Gray’ and ‘Congo’, whereas Nemarioc-AL phytonematicide did not have any significant effects on the plant variables of both cultivars. Generally, plant growth variables and increasing concentrations of Nemafric-BL phytonematicide had density-dependent growth (DDG) patterns, which were quantified through either positive or quadratic equations (Chapter 3). In contrast, both phytonematicides had significant effects on selected nutrient elements in leaf tissues of both watermelon cultivars. The affected nutrient elements, P, Mn and Na versus increasing concentrations of phytonematicides exhibited the DDG patterns, which were also quantified through either positive or quadratic equations (Chapter 3). The phytonematicides were consistent in suppressing nematode numbers in both watermelon cultivars. Comparison of synthetic nematicide Velum and the two phytonematicides under field conditions suggested that, relative to untreated control, the three products each stimulated growth of watermelon cv. ‘Congo’. The efficacy of Nemafric-BL and Nemarioc-AL phytonematicides on suppression of population densities of Meloidogyne species was comparable to that of Velum. In conclusion, Nemafric-BL and Nemarioc-BL phytonematicides were highly effective in managing population densities of Meloidogyne species in watermelon cultivars and also affected the partitioning of selected nutrient elements in tissues. The study provided essential information that could assist in decision-making in nematode management in watermelon production, particularly in fertiliser application.