Prof. Dr. Tariq Mukhtar

Department of Plant Pathology,
Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University
Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Short Bio: With prolific research portfolio, Dr. Tariq has led multiple funded projects and presented extensively at international and national conferences. His scholarly work comprises 175+ publications in esteemed global and national journals. Dr. Mukhtar’s expertise extends to editorial roles in various journals and memberships in 15 academic societies. His dedication is further evident in his review of over 1200 research articles from 180+ journals, alongside multiple Research Productivity and Publons Peer Review Awards.

Keynote Topic: Hemp (Cannabis sativa) as a natural nematicide against root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita) 

Due to their high cost and detrimental impact on the environment and human health, the use of nematicides has become prohibitive in many countries. As an attractive alternative, the management of plant-parasitic nematodes through antagonistic plants has gained considerable interest. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of aqueous extracts of Cannabis sativa at various concentrations, namely S, S:1, S:5, S:10, S:25, S:50, and S:100, on the hatching, mortality, and infectivity of Meloidogyne incognita. This nematode species is responsible for substantial yield losses in cucumber and is among the most devastating root-knot nematodes. The results indicate that the extracts exhibited significant effects on juvenile mortality and hatching inhibition in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the duration of exposure significantly impacted mortality and hatching inhibition. Various treatments with the extracts led to a notable inhibition of the invasion of M. incognita juveniles on cucumber cv. Royal Sluis. Exposure to “S” extracts of C. sativa for 24 and 48 hours resulted in no infection, while exposure for 12 and 6 hours caused reductions in infectivity exceeding 95% and 90%, respectively. Similarly, both soil drench and root dip treatments led to significant reductions in infection. The efficacy of C. sativa leaves was also evaluated by incorporating them into the soil at rates of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 20 g/Kg of soil. C. sativa exhibited a considerable reduction in nematode infestations and notably enhanced plant growth criteria compared to the untreated check. The highest reductions in the number of galls, egg masses, nematode fecundity, and overall nematode build-up were observed with the 20 g dosage. These findings underscore the significant potential of locally abundant C. sativa for controlling root-knot nematodes and suggest that it could serve as a viable substitute for synthetic nematicides.