Morphological variability in okra germplasm due to the infection of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita)

Abstract

Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) is a notorious pathogen of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) from the family Malvaceae. This investigation was planned to corroborate the damaging impact of M. incognita on growth parameters of different varieties of okra. Seeds of ten different varieties of okra were taken and sown in earthen pots containing sterilized soil. There were five replications for each variety along with control. Approximately 1000 freshly hatched juveniles of M. incognita were applied on okra seedlings after three weeks of seed germination. Harvesting was done after 60 days of inoculation and different plant growth and nematode reproduction parameters were recorded. Significant differences of growth parameters were observed among all the varieties of okra. The variety Kiran showed maximum number of galls, egg masses and females with lowest number of fruits and other growth parameters except root weight while Anarkali showed minimum number of galls with better growth parameters.