Walia, R. K.Vikaram2016-10-262016-10-262013http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/82190Four species of Meloidogyne i.e., M. arenaria, M. graminicola, M. incognita and M. javanica were tested for Pasteuria penetrans endospore adherence and development. After 48 hrs, endospore adherance was least in case of M. graminicola and M. arenaria but significantly more in M. javanica and M. incognita. This strain of P. penetrans did not infect M. graminicola, however, development on the other three species was very efficient, and the infection varied from 70-90%. Three experiments were conducted in summer, kharif and winter seasons using cotton, okra and chickpea to test the efficacy of P. penetrans as seed treatment against M. javanica. The results on cotton and chickpea were not significant. However, only during kharif season (mean maximum and minimum temperatures of 34.5° and 26.4° C, respectively) on okra, P. penetrans used @ 4 and 5% as seed coat resulted in significant reduction in root galling, egg production and infection of females. Efficacy of P. penetrans application as nursery soil treatment was tested in two seasons. In kharif season (mean maximum temperature of 34.5° C and the minimum temperature of 26.4° C) higher doses of P. penetrans (8 x 104 and 10 x 104 endospores per g soil) resulted in better seedling germination and improved fresh weight of seedlings. All the doses of P. penetrans caused significant reduction in galling and were also equally effective in suppressing nematode egg production. The two highest doses of 8 x 104 and 10 x 104 caused up to 70% nematode infection. Similar experiment during winter season did not produce any tangible results.enVegetables, Planting, Bacteria, Vegetative propagation, Biological phenomena, Biological interaction, Sowing, Eggs, Seed treatment, Research methodsThesis