Scientific results

The efficacy of Cedroz as a nematicide against root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita has been proven during in vitro bioassays (Emilia-Romagna region Plant Protection Service under Dr. Giovanna Curto), during preliminary trials on young tomato plants (Ghent University) and mature egg mass on tomato plant roots (Emilia-Romagna region Plant Protection Service), and during semicommercial field trials on cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper.

In vitro bioassays

In vitro bioassay of Cedroz vs. Meloidogyne incognita

The objective of the in vitro bioassay was to verify the nematicidal and/or nematistatic efficacy of Cedroz against the larvae of second stage juveniles (L2) of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita.

Step 1: Inoculum production (L2)

Mature egg mass from roots of tomato plants of the farms of the SFR—Emilia-Romagna
Dipped in water for seven days to obtain peers of seven-day-old larvae

Step 2: Placement of the L2 larvae in the wells

Ten to twelve L2 in 1 mL of aqueous solution of Cedroz
Assayed concentrations (mL/L): 2–2, 50–4, 0–5.00
The wells were closed with a glass lid and sealed with silicone to contain the dispersion of volatile substances and incubate at room temperature.
In each test, three replicas were performed for each concentration and for each test time (24–48 hr). A total of 24 wells were set up, including witnesses (UTC).

Step 3: Assessments—vitality of the larvae L2

Direct observation under a stereomicroscope after 24 and 48 hours of immersion in aqueous solution of Cedroz
The immobile larvae were transferred to distilled water and observed after 24 and 48 hours.

Recovery of mobility (nematistatic effect)
Mortality (nematicidal effect)

	After 24 hours with Cedroz			After 48 hours with Cedroz
[c]	Immobile	After 24 hr in water		Immobile	After 24 hr in water
mL/L	(Staticity)	Mobility	Immobile (mortality)	(Staticity)	Mobility	Immobile (mortality)
2.00	66.67	6.67	60.00	73.33	3.33	70.00
2.50	93.33	0.00	93.33	100.00	0.00	100.00
4.00	90.00	0.00	90.00	100.00	0.00	100.00
5.00	100.00	0.00	100.00	100.00	0.00	100.00

Conclusion

Cedroz has shown a prevalent nematicidal activity against J2 of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita in all in vitro bioassays.

Pot trials

A. Infectivity of J2s exposed to Cedroz

Step 1: 400 M. incognita juveniles (J2) were treated with the LD50 of Cedroz (1.5 mL/L); after 24 hours, ± 200 living, moving J2s were recovered.

Step 2: Three-week-old tomato plants (cv. Moneymaker) were inoculated with 200 moving J2s recovered from either Cedroz at its LD50 (1.5 mL/L) or a tap water control.

Pot trials

Pot trials graph

Conclusion

Nematodes that survived Cedroz exposure were much less infectious, as indicated by the number of galls after three weeks (p < 0.001, N = 6).

B. Activity on mass eggs on RKN (Dr. Curto)

Cedroz in contact with the egg masses for a period of seven days proved capable of inhibiting the hatching of second-age J2 larvae. Therefore, there was a temporary inhibition in the presence of the solution with Cedroz or due to the inability of the product to penetrate the eggs. Further studies are underway to check the activity on the individual egg.

Results of the activity of Cedroz on the hatching of eggs contained in the egg sack of Meloidogyne incognita

[c] mL/L	After 7 days n°J2			After 7 days in water n° eggs n° J2				Development n° eggs/egg sack % hatched
	Total	J2 mobile	J2 immobile		Total	L2 mobile	L2 immobile	(a+d+e)	After 7 days	After 14 days
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h	A*100/h	(a+e)*100/h
10	0.00	0.00	0.00	84.25	41.40	35.75	5.75	125.75	0.00	33.00
5	4.75	1.25	3.50	43.00	53.00	51.75	1.25	100.75	4.71	57.32
2.5	37.75	24.75	13.00	50.00	87.00	83.50	3.50	174.75	21.60	71.39
1.25	54.00	47.25	6.75	15.25	83.25	79.25	4.00	152.50	35.41	90.00
0.625	110.00	108.75	1.25	58.00	70.25	66.25	4.00	238.25	46.17	75.66
0.315	112.75	112.50	0.25	40.75	51.00	51.00	0.00	204.50	55.13	80.07
0	104.50	104.25	0.25	36.25	12.75	12.75	0.00	153.50	68.08	76.38