Biological approach for management of nematodes in banana

Abstract

Field trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of biocontrol agent viz., AM fungi, Pseudomonus fluorescens, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Bacillus subtalis and Heterorhabditis indica for the management of plant parasitic nematodes around banana rhizosphere alone and in combination. The bioagents were applied around the banana rhizosphere at the time of planting, followed by three months after planting. One chemical check (carbofuran 3G) and an untreated check were maintained for comparison. Results obtained from three years of experimentation revealed that all the treatments significantly superior to the untreated check, increasing the plant growth parameters and yield of crops, and reducing the population of Meloidogyne incognita and Pratylenchus spp. Among the biocontrol agents, combined application of Pseudomonus fluorescens and Paecilomyces lilacinus (=Purpureocillium lilacinum) @ 12.5 g m−2 each were found to be the best in reducing the nematode population of M. incognita and Pratylenchus thornei, root knot index; and increasing the plant growth parameters and yield of banana.