Phytochemical profile and nematicidal potential of essential oil from Algerian wildOriganum vulgare subsp. glandulosum Defs.

Abstract

Background/aim: The root gall nematode Meloidogyne incognita constitute the most damaging species that infects many crops inAlgeria. The intense use of harmful agricultural chemical products has incited research to develop alternative methods with natural andecological advantages like essential oils extracted from plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Origanum vulgaresubsp. glandulosum Desf. (Lamiaceae) essential oil on the development of the root-knot nematode M. incognita in potted tomatoes.Materials and methods: In pot trials, we assess the activity of O. vulgare subsp. glandulosum essential oil at two concentrations of0.75 and 0.37 mg /L against M . incognita. These dilutions were applied in two treatments to soil: the preventive treatment (pretomatoplanting), and the curative treatment (posttomato planting), using an artificially inoculated tomato under controlled conditions.Results: The application of O. vulgare subsp. glandulosum essential oil was very effective at the pretomato planting treatment comparedto the chemical treatments, and the inoculated control. We noted a reduction in number of roots and soil juveniles, galling index, andan increase in the tomato root and stem weights. The phytochemical screening of O. vulgare subsp. glandulosum revealed the presenceof five classes of bioactive compounds (glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and gallic tannins).Conclusion: This study showed a potential nematicidal effect of O. vulgare subsp. glandulosum essential oil on root-knot nematode.