"BIOLOGICAL CONTROL EFFICIENCY OF MEDICINAL PLANT EXTRACTS AGAINST PARASITIC NEMATODES"

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHERS ISSN: 3030-332X Impact factor: 8,293 Volume 14, issue 1, Oktober 2025 https://wordlyknowledge.uz/index.php/IJSR worldly knowledge Index: google scholar, research gate, research bib, zenodo, open aire. https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=ru&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=wosjournals.com&btnG https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Worldly-Knowledge https://journalseeker.researchbib.com/view/issn/3030-332X 102 “BIOLOGICAL CONTROL EFFICIENCY OF MEDICINAL PLANT EXTRACTS AGAINST PARASITIC NEMATODES” Turopova Mukhlisa Barot kizi Doctoral student of Termiz University of Engineering and Agro-Technology, Termez, Uzbekistan. Raimova Feruza Jumanazar kizi Teacher at school 33 in Muzrabot district of Surkhandaryo region. ABSTRACT: Parasitic nematodes, especially root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.), pose a significant threat to global agriculture by causing extensive crop damage and yield losses. Traditional chemical nematicides, while effective, have raised concerns due to their environmental toxicity, development of resistance, and negative effects on non-target organisms. Therefore, there is growing interest in exploring eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives such as medicinal plant extracts with nematicidal properties. This study aims to evaluate the biological efficacy of selected medicinal plant extracts against parasitic nematodes under controlled experimental conditions. KEYWORDS: Medicinal plant extracts, parasitic nematodes, Meloidogyne spp., nematicidal activity, biological control, integrated pest management, eco-friendly pesticides, Allium sativum, Azadirachta indica, biopesticides INTRODUCTION Parasitic nematodes (Meloidogyne spp., Heterodera spp.,) are soil pests that cause serious damage to agricultural crops. They infect the root systems of plants, weakening growth processes and leading to reduced yields. The use of traditional chemical nematicides has declined in recent years due to their contamination of soil and the environment, as well as the risks they pose to human and animal health. Therefore, developing environmentally friendly and effective methods to control parasitic nematodes is of great importance. Extracts derived from medicinal plants have attracted interest as promising agents in biological control because their bioactive compounds help inhibit the development and reproduction of nematodes. This study investigated the efficacy of medicinal plant extracts against parasitic nematodes. MATERIALS AND METODS In the study, aqueous extracts were prepared from garlic (Allium sativum), neem (Azadirachta indica), and mustard (Brassica nigra). Plant materials were dried, ground, and extracted with water at a ratio of 10:1. Meloidogyne incognita was selected as the parasitic nematode and its eggs and juveniles were used under laboratory conditions. Extracts were prepared at concentrations of 5%, 10%, and 15%, and their effects on nematodes were observed over 72 hours. Nematode motility, egg development, and mortality rates were evaluated using microscopy. The data were statistically analyzed. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHERS ISSN: 3030-332X Impact factor: 8,293 Volume 14, issue 1, Oktober 2025 https://wordlyknowledge.uz/index.php/IJSR worldly knowledge Index: google scholar, research gate, research bib, zenodo, open aire. https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=ru&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=wosjournals.com&btnG https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Worldly-Knowledge https://journalseeker.researchbib.com/view/issn/3030-332X 103 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS The garlic extract at a 15% concentration reduced nematode motility by 87% and inhibited egg development by up to 80%. Neem extract at a 10% concentration caused 75% nematode mortality. Mustard extract at 15% concentration significantly reduced nematode reproduction, although its efficacy was lower compared to the other extracts. All treated samples showed a significant decrease in nematode activity compared to the control group (p < 0.05). These results confirm the effective biological activity of medicinal plant extracts against parasitic nematodes. The high efficacy of garlic extract is attributed to bioactive compounds such as allicin. Azadirachtin, present in neem extract, also exhibited strong nematicidal effects. The lower effectiveness of mustard extract may be related to the concentration and mode of action of its bioactive compounds. These findings demonstrate that the use of medicinal plant extracts is a practical and effective approach for developing environmentally safe agricultural systems. However, further studies are necessary to investigate their long-term effects in field conditions and any potential phytotoxicity. CONCLUSION Medicinal plant extracts serve as effective biological control agents against parasitic nematodes, helping to reduce the use of chemical pesticides in agriculture and contribute to environmental protection. Comprehensive research and trials are essential for the practical application of these extracts in the future. REFERENSES 1. Akhtar, M., & Malik, A. (2000). Roles of organic soil amendments and soil organisms in the biological control of plant-parasitic nematodes: a review. Bioresource Technology, 74(1), 35-47. 2. Gupta, S.C., & Singh, R. (2017). Nematicidal potential of plant extracts against rootknot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita). Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection, 124(3), 241249. 3. Kepenekçi, İ., Erdoğuş, D., & Erdoğan, P. (2016). Effect of some medicinal plant extracts on root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) infecting tomato plants. Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 40(2), 297-304. 4. Zhang, L., Yang, J., Zhang, K., Wang, D., & Li, Y. (2020). Biocontrol potential of plant extracts against nematodes: A review. Frontiers in Microbiology, 11, 1754. 5. Turopova M. B., Raxmatova M. U., Bekmurodov A. S. Faunistic analysis of nematodes wild medicinal plants in Surkhandarya region of Uzbekistan // The Bioscan. 2024. 19 S.I (1), P. 681-683. 6. Turopova M., Bekmurodov A. Surxondaryo viloyati sharoitida na’matak (Rosa canina L.) nematodalari // Qo‘qon DPI. Ilmiy xabarlar. 2025-yil 4-son. 622-626 b