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Nematicidal activity of essential oils: a review

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Abstract

Plant parasitic nematodes are the most destructive group of plant pathogens worldwide and their control is extremely challenging. Plant Essential oils (EOs) and their constituents have a great potential in nematode control since they can be developed for use as nematicides themselves or can serve as model compounds for the development of derivatives with enhanced activity. This study reviews the plant EOs evaluated as potential nematicides and their toxic effects against pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) and root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). Additionally, the nematicidal activity to M. javanica of several EOs from Spanish aromatic plants and their components is described.

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Abbreviations

EOs:

Essentials oils

J2:

Second-stage juveniles of Meloidogyne spp

GC-MS:

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

GABA:

Gamma-aminobutyric acid

AChE:

Acetylcholinesterase

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the grant CTQ2009-14629-CO2-01, MCIN-Spain. We thank F. De la Peña for technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias, CSIC, Serrano 115-dpdo, 28006, Madrid, Spain

    Maria Fe Andrés, Azucena González-Coloma & Paula Sainz

  2. Instituto de Química Orgánica, CSIC, Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006, Madrid, Spain

    Jesus Sanz

  3. Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón, 50059, Zaragoza, Spain

    Jesus Burillo

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  1. Maria Fe Andrés
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  2. Azucena González-Coloma
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  3. Jesus Sanz
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  4. Jesus Burillo
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  5. Paula Sainz
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Correspondence to Maria Fe Andrés.

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Andrés, M.F., González-Coloma, A., Sanz, J. et al. Nematicidal activity of essential oils: a review. Phytochem Rev 11, 371–390 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-012-9263-3

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