GC-MS analysis and in vitro evaluation of methanol root extract of Tagetes patula against Meloidogyne incognita

Abstract

The non-polar and polar fractions of methanol root extracts of Tagetes patula were assayed against Meloidogyne incognita. Methanol extract and its fractions were tested for egg hatch and mortality against second stage juveniles of M. incognita in the laboratory at five different concentrations. The non-polar fraction of methanol extract inhibited egg hatching and was extremely toxic to juveniles of M. incognita at concentration of 5 mg/mL and this lethality was highly significant compared to the other extracts. The more active non-polar fractions was analysed by GC-MS. Twenty-four compounds representing 85% of the total extract were identified of which 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (14.87%), Ascorbic acid 2,6-dihexadecanoate (12.82%), Thianthrene (11.91%), 5-(4-acetoxy-1-butynyl)-2,2'-bithienyl (11.76%), Alpha.-terthienyl (8.77%) etc. were the major compounds. The present study suggests that hexane fraction was active against M. incognita due to the presence of thiophenes, fatty acid, fatty acid ester and steroids present as major compounds.