MANAGEMENT OF ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE, MELOIDOGYNE INCOGNITA IN FCV TOBACCO THROUGH BIO-AGENTS ENRICHED TRAY SEEDLINGS

Abstract

Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco is a major rainfed crop with lot of export potential grown in light soil regions of Karnataka. Root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita pose major threat to FCV tobacco cultivation in both nursery and in main field. Though chemical control measures are available, their use is neither cost effective nor ecofriendly. Use of Bio-control agents against nematodes and other soil borne diseases is a well proven technology. Similarly tray seedlings are widely used for raising tobacco crop in Karnataka by majority of farmers. In an attempt to provide a sustained root-knot management in field crop, bioagents enriched tray seedlings were evaluated. Bioagents Pseudomonas fluorescens, Trichoderma viride and Paecilomyces lilacinus were enriched singly @ 25 and 50g / 1.2 kg of tray medium and were evaluated for their bio-efficacy against root knot nematodes under sick field condition. Significant reduction in root knot nematode in terms of (Root-Knot Index) RKI ranging from 1.89 to 2.40 as against 3.90 in control was recorded in bio-agent treatments. The per cent control in treatments ranged from 43.1 to 51.5% with P. lilacinus @ 50g/tray media significantly reduced the RKI to the tune of 51.5% and recorded significantly higher cured leaf yield of 1539 kg/ha, with an increase of 12.1% compared to check. P. lilacinus @ 50g/tray medium when tested in bulk recorded 14.7% increase in cured leaf yield over check with ICBR of 1:5.9. The technology helps in easy delivery of bio-agents into the field and helps in managing root-knot nematode in eco-friendly manner.