Biocontrol potential of Bacillus megaterium liquid bioformulation on Meloidogyne incognita infecting brinjal under field conditions

Abstract

Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) is one of the major vegetable crops grown in India. It is a low-calorie vegetable with high nutritional value due to the abundance of many components like fibers, proteins, phenolics, vitamins and minerals. However, its production is severely hampered by the incidence of major pests and diseases, including root-knot nematode. Root-knot nematode management is a challenge since nematicides have been mostly banned/restricted and resistant varieties or non-host crops are often not available. Therefore, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria emerge safe and alternative option for nematode management. Thus, in the present study, Bacillus megaterium (1% A.S.) was evaluated through different application methods and its combination to decipher nematicidal efficacy against Meloidogyne incognita infecting brinjal under field conditions. Three years experimental results revealed that the treatment comprising of seed treatment with Bacillus megaterium (1% A.S..) at 10 mL/kg seed+ Nursery bed treatment with Bacillus megaterium (1% A.S.) 50 mL/m2 + application of 5 tons of FYM enriched with 5.0 liter of Bacillus megaterium (1% A.S.) /ha + Soil drenching with Bacillus megaterium (1% A.S.) at 5 mL/liter at 30 days interval) significantly reduced M. incognita egg mass production per root system (81.7%), final nematode population in soil (60%), with least root gall index (1.0) and enhanced 20.7 of brinjal yield under field conditions. The present study elucidates that B. megaterium (1% A.S.) bioformulation and its combination of application methods could be one of the components in the integrated management of M. incognita infecting brinjal under field conditions.