Control of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita by Ivomec containing an exametabolite of Streptomyces avermitilis

Abstract

The use of a veterinary antihelmintic product (IVOMEC), based on exametabolites produced by Streptomyces avermitilis, was tested in a pot experiment against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Tomato seedlings (cv. Rutgers) were transplanted in clay pots (V=1,000 ml) filled with a M. incognita infested soil (15 eggs and juveniles/mL soil). Pots were treated at transplant with 250 mL of different concentrations of aqueous solutions of IVOMEC (0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 ml/l) and arranged on benches in a glasshouse at 25±2 °C in a randomized block design with six replicates/treatment. Nematode-infested untreated soil and fenamiphos treated soil were used as controls. Results clearly demonstrate the efficacy of ivermectin, applied at transplant at different rates (1, 2 and 4 ml/l), to decrease RGI, eggs and juveniles/g root and ml soil, total nematode population density and the reproduction factor, in comparison to the untreated control plants.