BIOMANAGEMENT OF ROOT-KNOT AND RENIFORM NEMATODES ON OKRA

Seed dressing with culture filtrate of Paecilomyces lilacinus resulted in a significant control of root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne incognita and reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis singly or concomitantly, with a corresponding increase in plant growth, length and weight of plants and number of pods, chlorophyll content of leaves, water absorption capacity of roots of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). In another experiment soil application with oil cake of neem (Azadirachta indica) showed significant suppression of the nematodes, both singly as well as concomitantly, with the consequent improvement in different growth parameters of the plants as above. A combination of seed dressing treatment with culture filtrate of P. lilacinus and soil amendment with neem cake gave synergistic effect with respect to nematode management and improvement in plant growth parameters.