Bio-efficacy of liquid formulations of Bacillus subtilis IIHR Bs-2 (1% A.S.) and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens IIHR Ba-2 (1% A.S.) in the management of Meloidogyne incognita infecting tomato

Abstract

Liquid formulations of two beneficial bacteria viz., Bacillus subtilis IIHR Bs-2 (1% A.S.) and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens IIHR Ba-2 (1% A.S.) were evaluated for their bio-efficacy against Meloidogyne incognita in tomato. This study was conducted for three consecutive years from 2015-16 to 2017-18. The bio-inoculants were delivered as bsubstrate treatment (@5 ml kg-1 cocopeat) alone and in combination with soil application after enrichment in FYM (@ 5 l ha-1). Pooled analysis of data revealed that the effect of substrate treatment and soil application of Bacillus subtilis IIHR Bs-2 1% A.S. was at par with B. amyloliquefaciens IIHR Ba-2 1% A.S. in suppressing 70.33 to 71.02 per cent of M. incognita population in tomato roots (13.17 to 13.58 females per 10 g roots) and soil (99 to 101.3 J2 per 100 c.c)
and reducing the gall index (1.69 to 1.80 out of 5). Maximum yield of 33.01 to 33.46 tons ha-1 (+ 29.06 to 30.82 per cent increase over control) was recorded in these treatments with cost benefit ratio of 1:2.10 to 1: 2.12. It was followed by chemical treatment, carbofuran which recorded 63.09 to 64.89 per cent decrease in nematode population and 15.05to 15.97 per cent increase in yield. Thus, this study proves the potential of liquid formulations of Bacillus subtilis IIHR Bs-2 (1% A.S.) and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens IIHR Ba-2 (1% A.S.) and hence, can be promising components of INM package for management of M. incognita in tomato.