Evaluation of Synergistic Effect of Neem and Poultry Manure on Root Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) Infecting Rice

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted in 2014 to test the efficacy of different organic amendments on the control of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.). The different materials are sole neem, sole poultry manure, and a combination of neem and poultry manure. Neem was applied at the rate of 160 g per plot, poultry manure was applied at the rate of 1120 g per plot, combination of neem and poultry manure was applied at 1280 g per plot and Furadan was applied at 16 g per plot. Non-amended plot served control. Results obtained showed a combination of neem and poultry manure that produced the highest nematode suppression with a population of 58.3, followed by sole neem and poultry manure that produced 81.7, 94.7 respectively. This is compared to the chemical nematicide, Furadan that produced the least population of 41.7. The control treatment produced the highest population of 226.7. Reduction in nematodes population was concomitant to increase in rice growth and yield parameters. Combination of neem and manure produced the highest rice yield of 108 g which is significantly not different from manure that produced 107 g of rice. Among the three experimental factors neem produced the least rice yield of 88.2 g. This is compared to Furadan that produces 140.7 g rice. The non-amended control treatment produced the smallest quantity of rice which is 66.5 g.