Efficacy of two organic amendments and a nematicide for management of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) of watermelon

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during two consecutive years for the management of root- knot nematode(Meloidogyne incognita) of watermelon with two organic soil amendments poultry refuse (3 and 5 t/ha), mustard oilcake (0.3 and 0.6 t/ha) and a nematicide Furadan 5G 40 kg/ha. Organic amendments were incorporated in the soil 3 weeks before and Furadan 5G on the day of seedling transplanting. PR 3 t/ha and MOC 0.3 t/ha were used alone and integrated with Furadan 5G 20 kg/ha. The soil was inoculated with galled roots of tomato at the time of treatment application. Two organic soil amendments alone or integration with Furadan 5G gave satisfactory reduction of root-knot and increase plant growth in both years. The most effective treatment was PR 5 t/ha followed by PR 3 t/ha + Furadan 5G 20 kg/ha. Efficacy of PR 3 t/ha and MOC 0.6 t/ha were also appreciable. In first and second years, gall index values were 8.13 and 5.67 under control, respectively. The severity was reduced from 3.13 to 5.80 in first year and 2.34 to 3.94 in the second year due to treatments. Based on findings of the study, PR alone 5 t/ha and PR 3 t/ha + Furadan 5G 20 kg/ha were noted as effective treatment to manage root-knot disease of watermelon. Key words: Poultry refuse, mustard oilcake, furadan, Meloidogyne incognita.