Field Performance of Pseudomonas putida (IIHR Pp-2) for the Management of Meloidogyne incognita and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum Disease Complex in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

Abstract

Field experiments were carried out to assess the bio-efficacy of liquid formulation of Pseudomonas putida (IIHR Pp-2) 1% A.S. for the management of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita and wilt causing fungus, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench). P. putida was applied as seed treatment (20 ml kg-1) and in soil after enrichment in farm yard manure (FYM) at different doses of 2.5 lit and 5 lit in 5 tons of FYM. The results revealed that seed treatment with P. putida at 20 ml kg-1 followed by soil application of 5 tons ha-1 of FYM enriched with 5 lit P. putida was significantly effective in reducing the population of M. incognita (61.02 to 61.95%) and disease incidence of F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (77.9-78.5%). It also increased the yield of okra by 24.77 to 29.61%. The study clearly indicated the potential of P. putida IIHR Pp-2 and demonstrated its appropriate delivery mechanism through enrichment in FYM for managing nematode disease complex and reaping maximum yield in okra under field condition.