Furfural as a Nematocide

Plant-parasitic nematodes, also called eelworms, are small transparent cylindrical organisms usually between 0.5 and 3.0 mm in length. By means of a stylet in the form of a 

Worldwide, plant-parasitic nematodes cause an estimated agricultural loss of 60 billion U.S. dollars per annum [48]. Crops particularly threatened by nematodes are potatoes, beets, peanuts, soybeans, tomatoes, bananas, tobacco, berries, citrus fruits, and cotton. 

As compared to directly acting nematocides (nematocides working by toxicity), furfural has the following advantages  

Furfural is not only nontoxic for humans but it is also harmless for the environment. By contrast, methyl bromide, a widely used nematocide having a boiling point of 4.5 °C, is a threat for the ozone layer, and with this being so, according to a directive of the UNITED NATIONS, it must be phased out by the year 2002. 

In view of the given advantages, the application of furfural as a nematocide has the potential of becoming the greatest outlet for furfural, requiring the construction of many more furfural plants to satisfy the agricultural demand. 

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