Integrated application of amendments and chemicals for the management of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

Abstract

Root-knot nematode is one of the significant plant-parasitic nematodes in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Considering its destructive potential, studies were carried out on effect of organic amendments and their integration with chemicals upon root-knot nematode in cucumber in pots (2016–17) and in infested field (2017–18), at research farm of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab. Among the organic amendments, mustard cake treatment (5 t/ha) was found to be most effective with 65.16% nematode infestation reduction in pot experiment and 53.57% nematode infestation reduction in field experiment over control. Integrated treatments were found to be more effective than individual applications. Individually, the maximum reduction in soil nematode population was observed in applying mustard cake (5 t/ha) followed by neem cake (5t/ha). The efficacy of mustard cake was observed to increase in integrated treatments. In integrated treatments, application of mustard cake (2.5 t/ha) + Basamid (20 g/m) was observed to be most effective in reducing nematode infestations in soil and roots of cucumber. Among all the chemicals and amendments evaluated against root-knot nematode, Basamid among chemicals and mustard cake as an amendment in integration were found most effective against root-knot nematode and can be explored further.