Mode of action and efficacy of iprodione against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita

The ban and restriction on the use of several synthetic chemicals for controlling plant parasitic nematodes, and concern about their side effects necessitate the availability of effective methods of control with low toxicity to humans and non-target organisms. Therefore, efficacy and mode of action of iprodione, a dicarboximide fungicide, was evaluated against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita, in vitro and in vivo conditions, in comparison with the nematicides fenamiphos, fosthiazate and oxamyl at 7.00, 1.66 and 1.66 mL/5 L water, respectively. In vitro, iprodione showed nematostatic rather than nematicidal activity against second-stage juveniles of M. incognita in contrast to fenamiphos, fosthiazate and oxamyl which were nematicidal. In the in vivo experiment with tomato, iprodione controlled M. incognita less than fenamiphos, fosthiazate and oxamyl. No visual symptoms of phytotoxicity were observed. Therefore, iprodione can be a useful chemical for controlling nematode populations if included in an Integrated Pest Management program.