Abstract

The ectoparasitic nematode Xiphinema index is economically important on grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) in Chile, as a root parasite as well as a vector of Grapevine Fan Leaf Virus (GFLV). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of five nematode-antagonistic plants incorporated as green manure in greenhouse pot cultures on X. index maintained on grapevine, cv. Thompson Seedless. The antagonistic plants were: rapeseed (Brassica napus L. cv. Rangi), wormseed (Chenopodium ambrosioides L.); rue (Ruta graveolens L.), brown mustard (Brassica juncea Czern. & Coss. cv. Nemfix) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.). Their effects were compared with the following four treatments: barley (Hordeum vulgare L.); fenamiphos at 0.04%; grapevine plants inoculated with X. index as control; and grapevine with no further treatment. The incorporation of B. juncea cv. Nemfix reduced the nematode population by nearly 65% compared to the more than an 80% reduction with fenamiphos, with both treatments significantly different from all other treatments. The fenamiphos treatment resulted in the lowest root damage but caused a significant reduction of the total fresh weight of the grapevine plants, possibly due to phitotoxicity. At the rates of incorporation (2% W/V), brown mustard, thyme, wormseed and rue appeared to be well suited as potential green manure crops for control of X. index in grapevine.