Effect of bacterial antagonists on multiplication of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne graminicola) in rice

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the most consumed cereal in the world. Rice production faces a lot of abiotic and biotic challenges. Among the biotic factors rice Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne graminicola parasitism results in substantial yield loss. Their management by using bio-control agents is a recent trend now-a-days. A pot culture experiment was carried out in the net house condition in the Department of Nematology, College of Agriculture, O.U.A.T, Bhubaneswar, Odisha during 2018-19 to assess the effect of the bacterial antagonists viz. Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens on multiplication of root-knot nematode. The results revealed that all the treatments were superior over the untreated check concerning the reduction in the multiplication of root-knot nematodes. Soil application of Carbofuran @ 60mg/pot with 1 kg soil at the time of sowing exhibited maximum decrease of root-knot nematode population over untreated check followed by soil application of Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 20mg/pot with 1 kg soil by registering decreased number of galls, number of egg masses, nematode population in 200cc of soil and total nematode population in soil and root by 79.33%, 83.14%, 64.29%, and 67.09% respectively.