EFFECT OF FRESH AND DRY NEEM LEAVES APPLICATIONS ON ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE MELOIDOGYNE JAVANICA ON TOMATO PLANTS

This experiment was carried out to evaluate neem fresh and dry leaves at 1 and 2% of soil weight against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica on tomato plants under greenhouse condition. Results found that all nematode parameters i.e. number of galls, egg masses, females, developmental stages/root system, eggs/egg mass, juveniles/250 g soil, nematode final population (Pf) and reproduction factor (Rf) significantly reduced by neem leaf applications either as a fresh or dry at both doses compared to plants treated with nematode alone. Results indicated that neem powder was most effective treatment in reducing all nematode parameters compared to the fresh application. Neem powder at 2% recorded the highest reduction percentage of all nematode parameters compared to fresh leaf treatments at both levels. The reduction percentages of number of galls, egg masses, females/root system, eggs/egg mass, juveniles/250 g soil, final population (Pf) and reproduction factor (Rf) were 80, 80, 78, 47, 78, 86 and 86 reduction %, respectively.Plant growth parameters i.e. shoot and root lengths, shoot and root fresh weights and shoot dry weight were also affected by neem leaf applications. The highest increase percentage was recorded with neem powder treatment at 2% compared to fresh leaves treatment except shoot dry weight of 2% fresh leaves treatment, which recorded the highest percentage of efficacy. Antioxidant enzymes activity i.e. peroxidase phenoloxidase, catalase as well as carbohydrates and phenols were also significantly enhanced with both neem applications at 2%.