Effect of Different Storage, Moisture and Exposure Periods of Pasteuria penetrans on the Encumberance of Heterodera cajani

The spores of Pasteuria penetrans stored in the soil having 0, 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100% moisture of the field capacity (FC) for a period of 15 and 30 days at a room temperature (20–27° C), were evaluated for their encumberance on the second stage juvenile (J₂) of Heterodera cajani. The encumbered J₂ collected from different teatments were also observed for their multiplication on cowpea. The maximum spore encumberance was observed at 50% Fe moisture level (ML) and above and below this level, there was decrease in spore encumberance. Least number of healthy cysts and eggmasses was recorded in 50% ML and number increased both with increase and decrease of moisture content of the soil.