Biological Control of Root knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita Using Nematode Antagonist in Tomato
J. Jayakumar *
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, TNAU, Vridhachalam, Tamil Nadu, India.
M. Shanmugapriya
Agricultural College and Research Institute, Eachangottai, Tamil Nadu, India.
S. Ganapathy
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, TNAU, Vridhachalam, Tamil Nadu, India.
V. Ravichandran
Regional Research Station, Vridhachalam, Tamil Nadu, India.
P. Veeramani
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, TNAU, Vridhachalam, Tamil Nadu, India.
S. Thiruvarassan
Oilseed and Research Station, Tindivanam, Tamil Nadu, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is the world's largest vegetable crop after potato and sweet potato. Root knot nematodes, Meloidogyne incognita, pose a significant threat to tomato crops worldwide. To combat this nematode pest, biological control methods have been developed to reduce the reliance on chemical nematicide and promote sustainable agriculture practices. The antagonistic fungi/ bacteria can colonize the root zone and produce enzymes that have nematicidal properties. These methods of control not only protect the tomato crop but also promote the overall health and resilience of the agro eco system. Highest reduction of root knot nematode adult females (73.2 per cent), egg masses (81.4 per cent) and eggs (63.5 per cent) and nematode population in soil (65.5 per cent) were occurred with the application of P. lilacinum as soil application among all the treatments. The lowest gall index (1.0) was recorded in case of soil application of P. lilacinum followed by seed treatment (1.42) of the same whereas it was on bar (2.13) with each other while applying seed treatment and soil application of T. asperellum.
Keywords: Root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, Purpureocilium lilacinum, Trichoderma asperellum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Biological Control, Solanum lycopersicum