TOXICITY OF THE CONSTITUENTS OF PARINARI POLYANDRA ON MELOIDOGYNE INCOGNITA INFECTING CELOSIA ARGENTEA

Abstract

Parinari polyandra fractions were tested for their nematicidal potential in the screenhouse on Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood infecting Celosia argentea. A factorial design incorporated into randomised complete block design was employed. P. polyandra ethanol fractions were significantly (p<0.05) more effective and compared with the standard synthetic nematicide than dichloromethane fractions and the aqueous extract. There was improved yield and vegetative production in plants treated with the highest concentration (15mg/mL) of fractions as opposed to the untreated control plants. Spectroscopic results revealed the presence of carboxylic acids, aldehyde, phenols, alpha, beta unsaturated ketones and esters in the fractions. Fractions from the bark of Parinari polyandra can serve as an alternative to the toxic synthetic nematicides to reduce environmental pollution.