Abstract

One chemical nematicide, i.e. carbofuran (Furadan, at 15 kg/ha) and 2 phytonematicides, i.e. Fertinemakil Plus (containing neem [Azadirachta indica] cake and a fungicide) at 200 ml/row and ashwaganda (Withania somnifera) leaf extract at 1300 kg/ha, were tested for control of plant parasitic nematodes (Pratylenchus zeae and Helicotylenchus indicus) associated with maize (cv. Islamabad White) in Pakistan in autumn 2008. Factorial analysis of variance on the density of the nematodes showed a significant difference among the treatments but no significant difference was observed in the nematode population densities. However, the interaction of nematode × treatments was found significant. For P. zeae, populations were significantly decreased by the treatments compared to the control. The highest reduction in P. zeae population was found in Fertinemakil Plus, while the lowest in ashwagandha extract. The population density of H. indicus was greatly decreased by both Fertinemakil Plus and carbofuran compared to the control. The yield of maize was increased by the treatments, particularly by carbofuran (449±16.85 kg) and Fertinemakil Plus (415±12.64 kg), over the control (347±20.33 kg).