Natural organic compounds as alternative to methyl bromide for nematodes control

Abstract

Thirty-three organic acids and furfural metabolites were examined for their nematicidal activity against plant-parasitic, free-living and predacious nematodes. Propionic acid, 2-methylhexanoic acid, lactic acid, maleic acid, and furic acid were the most effective nematicides among normal chain organic acids, branched organic acids, hydroxy/keto-acids, dicarboxylic acids and furfural metabolites, respectively. Seven of the tested compounds were found to have more than 90% mortality thus designating them as highly active nematicides. Of the highly active tested compounds, an average octanol/water log P of 0.97 was observed with a range from 0.28 to 2.64, and a Henry's Law constant averaging 2.6 × 10^{− 7} atm.m³/mole. Tested chemicals with minor or low nematicidal activity showed an average log P of 1.76 with a range from 0.15 to 3.42 and a Henry's Law constant averaging 16.6 × 10^{− 7} atm.m³/mole.

Keywords:

• Nematicides
• organic acids
• furfural
• fumigants
• pest control

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health Research Centers in Minority Institution (RCMI) under grant R003045-17A and by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration/University Research Center (NASA/URC) grant NCC 9.165.