Management of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne hapla infecting two solanaceous crops in Kashmir valley

Abstract

Pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of neem products, Azarirachta indica and two chemicals viz., Dimethoate 30 EC and Chlorpyriphos 20 EC for the management of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne hapla infesting two solanaceous crops, tomato and brinjal. A significant (P ≤ 0.05) reduction of around 88 per cent in root galls per root system was observed over untreated control in both tomato and brinjal plants, grown in pot soil incorporated with neem seed powder @ 50 gm per kg soil. Maximum reduction in egg masses per root system was 89.10 and 87.93 per cent, eggs per egg mass was 74.80 and 69.73 per cent on tomato and brinjal plants, respectively, grown in pot soil treated with neem seed powder. Reduction in final soil population of nematode was also maximum with neem seed powder treated soil. Pre-transplanting root dip treatment of tomato and brinjal seedlings with Dimethoate 30 EC @ 0.03 per cent was the next best treatment followed by Neemarin @ 0.2 per cent and Chlorpyriphos @ 0.02 per cent that caused significant (P ≤ 0.05) reduction in galls and egg masses per root system, eggs per egg mass and final soil population of nematode over untreated control. Plant growth parameters was maximum for both the crops grown in soil incorporated with neem seed powder.