Application of Furfural in Sugarcane Nematode Pest Management
Application of Furfural in Sugarcane Nematode Pest Management
Oluwatoyin Adenike Fabiyi
ABSTRACT
Sugarcane, Saccharum officinarum is a foremost crop which is widely grown for sugar production. A major impediment to sugarcane cultivation is the infestation by plant parasitic nematodes most notably, the cyst nematode Heterodera sacchari. Broadly, synthetic nematicides are utilized in the suppression of soil nematode infestation of sugarcane, with positive outcome in yield. However, emergence of resistant nematode strains and health hazards are associated with the ceaseless use of the synthetics. The efficacy of furfural (2-furanaldehyde) from agricultural biomass waste was examined as a practicable replacement to the regular synthetic nematicide. Agricultural wastes were collected and refluxed with hydrochloric acid to produce furfural. Growth response of sugarcane plants increased significantly (p=0.05) with the highest concentration (75 mg) of furfural. A reduction in nematode population in soil of treated plants was remarked. The results indicated that furfural could be practically applied in the management of nematode pests of sugarcane, while safe guarding the environment from pollution.
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