Influence of neem and Jatropha oil cakes on multiplication of beneficial fungus, Saprozoic and root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita in tomato

Abstract

The influence of neem and jatropha oilcakes @1:100 (w/w) as soil amendment on stimulation of saprozoic nematodes and beneficial soil fungi was studied in relation to the plant growth and yield of tomato infested with Meloidogyne incognita. The population density of bacteriovorus nematodes (Cephalobus sp. and Acrobeloides sp.) and predatory nematodes (Mononchur sp. and Mesodoryllaimus sp.) reached peak at 5 and 7w in jatropha and neem oilcakes amended soil, respectively. The total population density of soil fungi also increased upto 8 w followed by a steep decline in oilcakes amended soil. The fungi Aspergilha spp. dominated among the beneficial soil mycoflora viz., Trichoderma viride, Cladosporium oxysporum, Penicillium sp. Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, and Rhizopus sp. developed in oilcakes amended soil. The role of stimulated activities of saprozoic and predatory nematodes and beneficial soil fungal antagonsist thereby significantly reducing the M. incognita infestation and increased the yield by 69 and 63 per cent in soil amended with neem and jatropha oilcake, respectively.