Nematicidal potential of Citrus reticulata peel essential oil, isolated major compound and its derivatives against Meloidogyne incognita

Citrus reticulata (Kinnow) peel essential oil, isolated major compound limonene and its derivatives were evaluated for their in vitro nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita. The essential oil was extracted from peels by hydrodistillation . Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis of essential oil revealed limonene as the major compound (51.42%) which was isolated from essential oil. Two derivatives of limonene viz. limonene tetrabromide and carvone were synthesized. Maximum egg hatch inhibition and juvenile mortality was shown by carvone at 1500 µg ml−1 after 96 hours of exposure followed by limonene, limonene tetrabromide and essential oil. The present studies showed that essential oil, major component limonene and its derivatives are effective against M. incognita and can be further explored for nematicidal properties. Further, substitution of carbonyl group in limonene as in carvone helps in enhancement of the nematicidal potential which is useful observation for exploration of these compounds in nematodes management