Eco-friendly management of Meloidogyne incognita in Okra through AM fungus (Glomus fasciculatum) and neem oil cake

Abstract

Neem oil cake @ 100 g and 200 g/m², AM fungus (Glomus fasciculatum) @ 5 g and 10 g/m² were applied as single and in combinations. Carbofuran @ 0.3 g a.i./m² was applied as standard chemical check. All the treatments significantly increased the okra growth parameters and reduced root knot nematode population and other infection parameters over check. It was also found that there was a significant rise in the population of AM fungus, its colonization in roots as well as phosphorus content in plants in treatment where AM fungus was inoculated alone and in combination with neem oil cake. Among various treatments, application of AM fungus @ 10 g/m² with neem cake @ 200 g/m² performing better than others, contributing significantly increase in plant growth parameters, phosphorus content with corresponding decrease in root knot nematode infection as compared to inoculated untreated check followed by application of AM fungus @ 10 g/m² with neem cake @ 100 g/m², which were statistically at par. In view of cost effective and low cost management option, application of AM fungus @ 10 g/m² with neem cake @ 100 g/m² was considered the most promising management option against root knot nematode (M. incognita) affecting okra.