Management of root diseases of eggplant and watermelon with the application of asafoetida and seaweeds

Authors

  • Ghulam Nabi Baloch Agricultural Biotechnology & Phytopathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270.
  • Samarah Tariq
  • Syed Ehteshamul-Haque University of Karachi
  • Mohammad Athar California Department of Food & Agriculture
  • Viqar Sultana University of Karachi
  • Jehan Ara University of Karachi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5073/JABFQ.2013.086.019

Keywords:

Seaweeds, Asafoetida, root-rot diseases, root-knot nematodes, eggplant, watermelon

Abstract

Eggplant and watermelon are highly susceptible to root rotting fungi Fusarium solani, F.oxysporum, Macrophomina phaseolina and root knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.,) causing big losses each year in Pakistan.  In field experiments, application of asafoetida, a medicinal gum from Ferula assafoetida and seaweeds Spatoglossum variabile, Stokeyia indica and Melanothamnus afaqhusainii showed significant suppressive effect on root rotting fungi Fusarium solani, Macrophomina phaseolina and root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) attacking watermelon and eggplant and improved plant growth in soil naturally infested with root rotting fungi and artificially infested with root knot nematode.  Length of vine of watermelon, shoot length of eggplant and fresh shoot weight were higher in seaweed and asafoetida treated plants as compared to control or Topsin-M, a fungicide, treated plants.  Seaweed and asafoetida treated plants also showed earlier fruiting than control or fungicide treated plants.  At farmer’s field seaweed showed similar suppressive effect on F. solani and M. phaseolina and root knot nematode on water melon in soil naturally infested by these pathogens. Application of seaweed produced healthy plants and number of fruits and weight were significantly higher in seaweed and asafoetida treated plants.  Asafoetida and seaweeds offer a non-chemical means of disease management.

Author Biographies

Ghulam Nabi Baloch, Agricultural Biotechnology & Phytopathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270.

Agricultural Biotechnology & Phytopathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan.

Samarah Tariq

Agricultural Biotechnology & Phytopathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, 

Syed Ehteshamul-Haque, University of Karachi

Professor, Agricultural Biotechnology & Phytopathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, 

Mohammad Athar, California Department of Food & Agriculture

Dr. Mohammad Athar-Tariq, PhD, DSc

Senior Environmental Research Scientist

California department of Food & Agriculture

3288 Meadowview Road

Sacramento, CA 95832

USA

Viqar Sultana, University of Karachi

Prof. Dr.Viqar Sultana

Biotechnology & Drug Development Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270

Jehan Ara, University of Karachi

Prof. Dr. Jehan Ara,

Post-harvest Technology Laboratory, Department of Food Science & Technology

University of Karachi, Karachi-75270

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Published

2013-10-14

Issue

Vol. 86 (2013): Journal of Applied Botany and Food Quality

Section

Article

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