Abstract
Background There are relatively few scientific works on the use of homeopathy to manage plant
pathogens, particularly nematodes. A handful of studies focused on Meloidogyne spp. parasitizing vegetables have brought contradictory results on nematode control
and enhancement of plant tolerance to parasitism.
Objective Our goal was to assess the effect of Cina—a well-known anti-nematode ingredient—on Meloidogyne enterolobii parasitizing lettuce.
Methods Cina was applied daily on nematode-inoculated plants, from the seedling stage until harvest.
We tested an evenly spaced range of Hahnemannian concentrations (c), which were applied though irrigation with a constant dose of the ingredient. Several
absolute and relative controls were employed to allow the assessment of the effect
of Cina on nematode reproduction and lettuce growth.
Results Cina affected growth of non-parasitized plants, both positively and negatively; this effect
was modulated by the c applied and the thermal stress suffered by the plants in one of the assays. The effect
of Cina on the growth of nematode-parasitized plants was neutral or negative. Cina reduced nematode reproduction by 25–36%.
Conclusion Based on the moderate negative effect of Cina on M. enterolobii reproduction, it seems this ingredient may be useful as a complementary strategy
for Meloidogyne control. But Cina did not enhance the tolerance of lettuce to Meloidogyne spp.
Keywords
Cina
- agrohomeopathy - plant-parasitic nematodes - root-knot nematode
