Abstract

Objectives: This study was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of some nanoparticles in inhibiting the growth of the root knot nematode. Methods: This study was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of aluminum oxide Alo-NPs and silver Ag-NPs, and chemical nematicides (Velum prime and Furadan granules), in inhibiting the growth of the root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) on two different types of eggplant cultivars, Barcelona and Thuraya. Results: The result obtained indicated that chemical nematicides and nanoparticles were highly effective in lowering the nematode invasion level expressed as number of knots per root and a gall index based on a 0-5 scale. Velum prime at concentrations of 300 and 400 ppm was the most effective and gave 0.67 and 0.17 knots/root average on both eggplant cultivars, respectively. In addition, the ALO-NPs treatment reduced infection to 1.17 knots/root compared to initial infection of 37.33 knots/root. The use of Ag-NPs at the concentration of 4000 ppm reduced infection to a low average of 2.83 knots/root for both eggplant varieties. All treatments average reduced the gall index to 0.95 (cv. Barcelona) and 1.20 (cv. Thuraya) compared to 3.33 and 4.00 for the infected non-treated controls, respectively. Conclusions: Nanoparticles have a role in controlling root-knot galls as alternatives to chemical pesticides that are dangerous to the environment and humans, and reducing the number of galls on the plant indicates the inhibition of eggs and second stage juveniles (J2).