Efficacy of mycorrhizal fungi and neemex against Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood on eggplant in relation to nutrients uptake

Abstract

Currently chemical nematicides are the major means to manage plant parasitic nematodes but these are costly and injurious to human health and environment. Research was carried out on an important plant parasitic nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) and its management through the integration of mycorrhizal fungi (MF) and neemex during 2011 to 2013 in green house and field conditions. Various experiments for effect of different dose levels of mycorrhizal fungi (100 g, 150 g and 200 g), neemex (5 g, 10 g and 15 g) and their combination on M. incognita infectivity parameters (Number of galls, egg masses, females, J2/root system and J2/100 cm3 soil), plant growth (root weight, root length, shoot weight and shoot length), nutrients (Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) uptake were conducted. Effect of mycorrhizal fungi and neemex on invasion and development by M. incognita was evaluated under green house conditions. Protective and curative effect of mycorrhizal fungi and neemex alone and in combination was tested against M. incognita, plant growth and nutrients uptake by eggplant. Systemic and local effect of mycorrhizal fungi and neemex was evaluated by using split root technique under green house. Management of M. incognita by mycorrhizal fungi and neemex was also evaluated in micro plot under field conditions. Number of galls, egg masses, females, J2/root system and J2/100 cm3 soil were recorded the maximum in untreated control when performed in green house as compared to other treatments. While plant growth parameters like root weight was higher in control but less in other treatments. Root length, shoot length and shoot weight was higher in treatments of all experiments as compared to control. Major nutrients (NPK) uptake was the maximum at higher dose of MF as compared to un-inoculated healthy plant and inoculated with neemex. Invasion and development by M. incognita was observed lower in mycorrhizal and neemex treated plant roots while maximum nematode developmental stages were observed in control. Mycorrhizal fungi and neemex either local or systemic successfully reduced the infection of M. incognita. Nematode infectivity parameters were reduced; plant growth and nutrient contents were enhanced by the mycorrhizal fungi and neemex either alone or in combination under field conditions and can be used successfully for the biocontrol of Meloidogyne incognita.