PRODUCTION OF BIO-AGENT COLONIZED VEGETABLE SEEDLINGS FOR SUSTAINABLE NEMATODE MANAGEMENT

Surveys indicate the presence of Meloidogyne incognita (root-knot nematode) on 25–55% of tomato and capsicum seedlings produced in the open conditions in Southern India.
Nematode infestation renders the seedlings weak and vulnerable for the infection by secondary, soil borne fungi and bacteria.
Nematode damage also results into the breakdown of the resistance against pathogenic fungi and bacteria.
Management of nematodes using nematicides is expensive, often not very effective besides soil and water pollution.
Hence we have standardized the methods for the production of bio-agent colonized seedlings of these crops for the sustainable management of M. incognita in the nurseries and under field conditions.
Seed treatment with combined formulation of Pseudomonas fluorescens (2 x 10⁸ cfu/g) and Paecilomyces lilacinus (2 x 10⁶ cfu/g) at the rate of 10g/kg of seed and nursery beds treatment with this formulation at the rate of 50g and neem cake 500/sq.m showed that vigorous seedling of tomato and capsicum can be obtain.
This treatment also showed least amount of infestation by root-knot nematodes.
Treated seedlings when transplanted in the main field resulted in the significant reduction of root-knot nematodes and increased the yield of these crops.

I International Conference on Indigenous Vegetables and Legumes. Prospectus for Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition

M.S. Rao

bio-agent colonized seedlings, vegetables, bio-agents, nematodes, sustainable management

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2007.752.102