Euphorbia trigona latex nematicidal activity on the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita

Abstract

The aim of this study was to test nematicidal activity of the Euphorbiatrigona latex on Meloidogyne incognita juveniles and to partially purify and characterize three proteases present in thislatex. Three distinct proteaseswere partially purificated from E. trigonalatex. They were named here trigonin 1, 2 and 3. Their molecular weights were estimated at: 36, 31 and 29 kDa, for trigonin 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The pH and temperature that provided highest protease activity were pH values of 4.0, 6.0 and 9.0, and 70 °C. The crude extract containing the three proteases present in E. trigona latex reduced significantly (p < 0.01) the number of live M. incognita juvenilesin 96% after 24 hours treatment. The present study is the first report of E. trigona latex with nematicidal activity, therefore more studies regarding latex proteases action on nematodes are needed.