R. Tsao et Q. Yu, Nematicidal activity of monoterpenoid compounds against economically important nematodes in agriculture, J ESSEN OIL, 12(3), 2000, pp. 350-354
The phase-out of increasing numbers of synthetic nematicides has prompted a
n urgent need for environmentally benign and effective products to protect
crops from nematode damage. We tested a group of selected plant-origin mono
terpenoid compounds for their nematicidal activities, and found some of the
m could be potent nematicides. Most of the monoterpenoids were more toxic t
han the commercial nematicide oxamyl (13.4% mortality at 250 mu g/mL) again
st the soil saprophytic nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, among which carvac
rol and thymol were the most potent (100% mortality at 250 mu g/mL). (-)-Pe
rillaldehyde, eugenol, geraniol and menthol were of moderate nematicidal ac
tivity at the same concentration, with mortality at 97%, 91%, 90% and 84%,
respectively, against C. elegans. Nematicidal activity against the root les
ion nematodes Pratylenchus penetrans was generally less potent, but citrone
llol, carvacrol and (-)-perillaldehyde were more toxic (mortality at 250 mu
g/mL were 87%, 78% and 56%, respectively) than oxamyl (50%). Thymol showed
similar (50%) mortality to that of oxamyl.