An integrated approach to the management of rice root knot nematode, Meloidogyne graminicola in Sri Lanka

L D Amarasinghe

doi:10.4038/josuk.v6i0.4221

Abstract

This study was carried out to design tools for integrated management of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne graminicola, in rice in Sri Lanka. Rice varieties namely, At5, At353, Bg304, Bg305, Bg359, Bg450, Bg94-1, Bg379-2, Ld355 and Ld356 were tested for their reactions against M. graminicola. Effect of poultry manure, cow-dung and paddy husk with or without cinnamon-leaf oil in reducing M. graminicola was studied.It was revealed that rice varieties At5, At353, Bg304, Bg305, Bg450, Bg379-2, and Ld356 were tolerant to M. graminicola as compared to Bg94-1 which is highly susceptible with high rate of reproduction. Plants treated with poultry manure had significantly low nematode population. Plants grown in poultry manure enriched soil had lower yellow and dead leaves as compared to other plants. Addition of cinnamon-leaf oil improved the nematode control. This study concludes that rice varieties namely At353, Ld356, Bg304, At5, Bg305, Bg450 and Bg379-2 can be used for fields that are prone to M. graminicola infestation while poultry manure can be utilized at least occasionally as a nematicide cum fertilizer to reduce nematode infestation level in rice plants and to improve soil fertility.Keywords: cinnamon-leaf oil; soil amendments; rice variety; root knot nematodeDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/josuk.v6i0.4221J Sci.Univ.Kelaniya 6 (2011) : 55-63

Highlights

It has been estimated that around 10% of world crop production is lost as a result of plant nematodes (Nickle, 1991)
In Sri Lanka, it was estimated that rice yield in severely infested fields could reach up to 72% due to root knot nematode, Meloidogyne graminicola
The Pf / Pi value (Pf = final population, Pi = initial nematode population) shows that these plants are tolerant to M. graminicola

Summary

Introduction

It has been estimated that around 10% of world crop production is lost as a result of plant nematodes (Nickle, 1991). In Sri Lanka, it was estimated that rice yield in severely infested fields could reach up to 72% due to root knot nematode, Meloidogyne graminicola Golden and Birchfield) (Nugaliyadde et al 2001). The infestation level of this nematode species varies from mild through moderate to severe. L D Amarasinghe production of eggs and easy means of spread along with water and soil, there is a high potential to expand the infected area in the country by this nematode species causing a serious loss on rice yields, under sub optimal management conditions (Nugaliyadde et al, 2001)

Methods

Results

Conclusion