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Effect of Homeopathic Preparations on Lettuce, Parasitized or Not by Meloidogyne enterolobii
Thais Moraes Ferreira1, Mariana Zandomênico Mangeiro1, Alexandre Macedo Almeida1
1Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Background:
There are relatively few scientific works on the use of homeopathy to manage plant pathogens, particularly nematodes. A handful of studies focused on Meloidogyne spp. parasitizing vegetables have brought contradictory results on nematode control and enhancement of plant tolerance to parasitism.
Objective:
Our goal was to assess the effect of Cina-a well-known anti-nematode ingredient-on Meloidogyne enterolobii parasitizing lettuce.
Methods:
Cina was applied daily on nematode-inoculated plants, from the seedling stage until harvest. We tested an evenly spaced range of Hahnemannian concentrations (c), which were applied though irrigation with a constant dose of the ingredient. Several absolute and relative controls were employed to allow the assessment of the effect of Cina on nematode reproduction and lettuce growth.
Results:
Cina affected growth of non-parasitized plants, both positively and negatively; this effect was modulated by the c applied and the thermal stress suffered by the plants in one of the assays. The effect of Cina on the growth of nematode-parasitized plants was neutral or negative. Cina reduced nematode reproduction by 25-36%.
Conclusion:
Based on the moderate negative effect of Cina on M. enterolobii reproduction, it seems this ingredient may be useful as a complementary strategy for Meloidogyne control. But Cina did not enhance the tolerance of lettuce to Meloidogyne spp.
