Studies on incidence of root knot nematode and its bio management in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)

Abstract

The community analysis of nematodes associated with pomegranate inferred that the relative frequency, relative density and prominence value were the highest for root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita followed by reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis. Pathogenicity studies revealed that 10,000 juveniles of root knot nematode caused maximum reduction in growth parameters with highest gall index. Histopathological studies of root knot nematode, M.incognita infested root sections showed root knot nematode, M.incognita females lodged at the pericylce region forming giant cells with denser cytoplasm and multinucleate condition. Field studies conducted at Theethipalayam in pomegranate var. Bahuwa infested with root knot nematode, M.incognita with more than one juvenile per gram of soil revealed that application of bioagent, Purpureocillium lilacinum@ 15 g/plant (cfu 2 x 106)
applied thrice every three months’ interval along with FYM was effective in reducing population of root knot nematode, and in increasing yield considerably. However, it was on par with Bacillus subtilis at the same dose.