Inhibition effect of Zataria multiflora Boiss. and Ferulago angulata (Schlecht.) Boiss. on tomato root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) in greenhouse condition

Root knot nematodes are one of the most important plant parasitic nematodes damaging many crops, particularly vegetables. According to the experiments conducted in greenhouse conditions, the damage of this nematode was estimated to be 56-49 percent, based on dry weight of stem and root. Increasing use of pesticides is of concern to specialists in environmental and nutritional sciences so the use of natural substances to control of pests and plant diseases is a priority. This research was aimed to reduce the pesticide use with application of the aqueous extract of two local medicinal plants, Ferulago angulata (Schlecht.) Boiss. and Zataria multiflora Boiss., on root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica, in tomato plants. A factorial experiment was performed with three factors including medicinal plants, plant parts and percentage of plant extract or powder, in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Results showed that the best treatments in terms of the factors associated with root-knot nematode, were flower and stem powder of F. angulata at the rate of 0.2%. The treatments of leaf powder of F. angulata at the rate of 0.1% and stem powder of this plant at the rate of 0.2% were the best treatments with best effect on the plant growth factors. In addition to sufficient effect of leaf powder of this plant on the factors associated with nematodes at the rates of 0.1 and 0.2%, growth factors of tomato plants were not affected.