Management of root knot nematode opting garlic crop in vegetable based cropping systems

Abstract

Root knot nematode is an economically important nematode infesting vegetable crops. Incidentally the three commonly followed rotations by farmers in Punjab viz., Brinjal-Tomato; Okra-Tomato and Cucumber-Tomato are supporting soil nematode population buildup leading to increased yield losses. In view of this, present trials were conducted to explore the potential of garlic as replacement crop in these rotations. Observations revealed that the inoculum load of root knot nematode and carry over population to the next crop in rotation decreased significantly by opting garlic as an alternative crop in place of tomato in the sequence followed. The yields of indicator crops, okra, tomato and cucumber were significantly increased in garlic rotated plots. The suppressive effect of garlic was more pronounced after continuous rotation with the crop for three years. The current study revealed that garlic can be successfully exploited as an alternative economical crop for management of root knot nematode in organic cultivation of vegetable crops in infested soils.