Evaluation of some non-fumigant nematicides and the biocide avermactin for managing Meloidogyne incognita in tomatoes

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of avermactin a new bio-nematicide in Egypt, in comparison with five non-fumigant nematicides namely, cadusafos, ethoprophos, fenamiphos, fosthiazate and oxamyl for managing the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita in tomatoes based on number of galls per root system, number of egg-masses, eggs per egg-mass and number of juveniles (J2) in the soil as well as plant growth characteristics. All nematicidal treatments reduced the incidence of root-knot nematodes when compared with the untreated check. However, fenamiphos and oxamyl were proved to be the highest chemical compostions that decreased galls by 91.73 and 89.53% and egg-masses by 90.80 and 88.65%, respectively. Whereas, avermactin has relatively least effective causing 66.69% and 66.31% reduction in gall formation and egg- masses, respectively. Meanwhile, cadusafos and oxamyl achieved the greatest reduction for eggs per egg-mass by 68.26 and 63.17%, consecutively. As for eggs per egg-mass, avermactin provided 16.34% reduction. All the tested nematicides significantly reduced the population of J_2 in the soil ranging from 69.49 to 90.31 %. Also, all applied treatments enhanced tomato growth indices as compared to the untreated inoculated control.