Hatching, motility, and infectivity of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) following exposure to sodium hypochlorite

Abstract

The potential for disinfestation of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) in irrigation water and hydroponic growing media using sodium hypochlorite was assessed by studying its effects on hatch, motility, and infectivity of the nematode. When eggs of M. javanica were exposed to 200-10000 pg available chlorine/mL for 5 min-24 h, hatch and infectivity of second-stage juveniles (J2s) were unaffected. However, exposure of eggs to 50000 or 125000 µg available chlorine/mL for >1 h reduced hatch during the following week. Exposing J2s in water to >2 µg available chlorine/mL for >24 h prevented their motility and ability to produce galls. An established infestation of root-knot nematode in a peat-vermiculite mix was unaffected by post-plant treatment with chlorine but was controlled by adding >4 µg available chlorine/mL to the nutrient solution for 4 weeks before planting.