THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE Rorippa indica L. Hiern WEED IN CONTROLLING ROOT KNOT DISEASE (Meloidogyne spp.) IN CUCUMBER PLANTS

Abstract

Root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are important plant-parasitic nematodes in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). The kamanilan weed (Rorippa indica L. Hiern) has the potential to be an environmentally friendly alternative for nematode control. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of chopped R. indica in suppressing root-knot disease (Meloidogyne spp.) and its effects on cucumber plant growth. The study was conducted in the greenhouse and the Phytopathology Laboratory of the Plant Nematology Division, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jatinangor. The study used a randomized block design consisting of 7 treatments and 4 replications. The treatments consisted of: control; chopped R. indica at 50 g, 75 g, 100 g, and 125 g/plant; chopped broccoli waste at 117 g/plant; and carbofuran at 2 g/plant. Each treatment was inoculated with 3000 second juveniles of Meloidogyne spp. The results showed that applying chopped Rorippa indica weeds effectively suppressed root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) in cucumber plants. Application of chopped R. indica weeds at a dose of 125 g/plant effectively suppressed the number of galls on cucumber roots (79.03%) and the number of second juvenile Meloidogyne spp. in the soil (73.68%).