PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White, 1919) Chitwood, 1949 INFECTING BELL PEPPER (Capsicum annuum L.)
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Date
2011-11-26
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University of Agricultural Sciences GKVK, Bangalore
Abstract
Root-knot nematode (Meliodogyne incognita) is the major pest on bell pepper which causes a yield loss upto 15 per cent. Excessive use of chemicals to manage nematodes affects soil bio-diversity and environment. In this context an attempt was made to manage M. incognita infecting bell pepper by using bio-agents. Investigations were carried out on the survey for the occurrence of plant parasitic nematodes in bell pepper growing areas in and around Bengaluru district, screening of five commercial cultivars against M. incognita under field condition and also management M. incognita using bioagents viz., Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma harzianum, Paecillomyces lilacinus, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pochonia chlamydosporia under green house condition. A field survey that was carried out extensively in bell pepper growing areas in and around Bengaluru district revealed the predominant occurrence of M. incognita (324/200cc soil) followed by Helicotylenchus spp. and Hoplolaimus spp. in Bengaluru followed by Banjerahalli of Kengeri. Among the five bell pepper cultivars viz., Indam Mamatha, Chocolate Wonder, Indra, Indam Supergold and California Wonder screened none of them was found to be resistant against root-knot nematode. However, the least number of galls were recorded in the roots of Indam Mamatha with least root-knot index followed by Chocolate Wonder. The cultivar, Indra was highly susceptible to root-knot nematode. Among the bioagents tested, the maximum plant height, more number of leaves, better root length, shoot weight, root weight and maximum fruit yield were observed in T. viride followed by P. fluorescens. The maximum reduction of galls per root system was noticed in T. viride compared to other treatments. The least number of egg masses per root system and least number of eggs per egg mass were recorded in T. viride followed by P. fluorescens.