Nematicidal and antifungal activities by a methanol extract from Xanthium strumarium L. collected in Hai Duong, Vietnam

The destructive impacts on plant vitality and yield caused by plant-parasitic nematodes and fungal pathogens hinder sustainable crop production.Thus, this research aimed to investigate the bioactivity of a methanol extract derived from Xanthium strumarium L. (XsE), a plant traditionally recognized for its medicinal applications.The extract showed potent nematicidal effects against second-stage juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita, with mortality rates increasing proportionally alongside dosage and exposure duration.The lethal concentration value significantly dropped from 669.7 µg/ mL at 6 h to 103.1 µg/mL after 48 h.Furthermore, egg hatching was strongly inhibited dose-dependently, reaching 73.2% at 1000 µg/mL.Microscopic evaluations revealed notable morphological abnormalities and internal tissue damage in both juveniles and eggs, implying direct ovicidal and embryocidal actions.Furthermore, XsE demonstrated considerable antifungal efficacy against Fusarium solani and Phytophthora capsici, with inhibition rates at elevated concentrations surpassing 70%.These results support the potential use of XsE as a natural agent for integrated pest and disease management strategies within sustainable agriculture systems.