Ability of nitrogen containing salts to control the root-knot

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Category: Protection and Integrated Pest Management IPM
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Hellenic Plant Protection Journal 6: 19-27, 2013

 

Ability of nitrogen containing salts to control the root-knot

nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) on tomato

 

M.R. Karajeh1 and F.M. Al-Nasir2

 

1 Plant Protection and IPM Department, Faculty of Agriculture,

2 Plant Production Dept., Faculty of Agriculture, Mutah

University, Karak P.O. Box 7, 61710 Jordan

* Corresponding author: muwaff This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Summary

The infl uence of diff erent nitrogen containing salts and sodium chloride at gradual electrical conductivity levels (ECs 2, 4, 6 and 8 mS/ cm) on the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) and their interaction with tomato was evaluated under growth chamber and greenhouse conditions. Both ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) and ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) were more eff ective than ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) which was more eff ective than potassium nitrate (KNO3) and sodium chloride (NaCl) in suppressing M. javanica by reducing root galling and nematode reproduction on tomato cv. GS12. Under greenhouse conditions, the minimum signifi cant galling index values assessed for NH4Cl, (NH4)2SO4, NH4NO3 and KNO3 were 1.60, 2.04, 2.30 and 3.30, respectively whereas the maximum value (4.01) corresponded to NaCl and was not statistically diff erent from the control (4.92). A signifi cant increase in tomato growth and protein content for (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3 was observed. On the other hand, in NaCl treatment, there was a decrease in dry weights and protein content due to salinity compared with the control. The higher salt ECs did not aff ect the pH of the rhizospheric soil but slightly increased its measured EC and salinity. Hence, (NH4)2SO4 is a more suitable candidate than NH4Cl for the eff ective control of the root-knot nematode when irrigation water is a limiting factor with high salinity level similar to NaCl. Therefore, the use of ammonium containing salts especially (NH4)2SO4 and NH4Cl alone or in combination with other control measures may result in controlling M. javanica.