Biomanagement of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita by egg parasitic fungus, (Pochonia chlamydosporia) on Okra

Abstract

Management of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita infecting okra was achieved through in vitro, in vivo and micro plot trials by an antagonistic fungus, Pochonia chlamydosporia. Effect of seed treatment and soil application of P. chlamydosporia was tested at various doses under in-vivo and micro plot of 1 m2 size. A 96% egg parasitism of M. incognita by P. chlamydosporia was recorded in laboratory condition. P. chlamydosporia caused enhanced plant health and suppressed M. incognita population in all the treated plants in both experiments. The maximum plant growth characters 42 cm, 9.4 g, 36 cm and 2.7 g with a recovery of 80.9, 74.1.73.9 and 80% over control for shoot length, shoot weight, root length and root weight respectively was recorded in the treatment that received soil application of the P. chlamydosporia @ 3% w/w under pot condition whereas in micro plot trial a general increase in all the growth parameters including fruit yield except root weight was observed in all the treatments receiving P. chlamydosporia. Application of P. chlamydosporia suppressed nematode infection (galls, egg masses/plant and eggs/egg mass) by up to 54.8, 53.7 and 46.5% respectively under pot trial and up to 88.9, 88.6 and 49.1% respectively under micro plot experiment