Biological Control of Meloidogyne incognita in Pointed gourd (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.)*

Bio-agent mixed in soil @ 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75 and 2.0 g/pot developed initial population of 2000 J₂ by inoculating Meloidogyne incognita after two deays of bio-agent treatment. Results revealed that Paecilomyces lilacinus significantly increased the growth with increase dose of bio-agent from 0.25 g to 2.0 g. The highest increase in shoot (118.4%) and root length (75.8%) and shoot and root weight (86.5 & 95.59%), respectively was observed at the highest dose 2.0 g/pot. The nematode multiplication was also reduced in all the treatments, highest reduction in gall development (88.4%), egg masses (94.1%), egg/egg masses (65.4%) and final population (80.3%) was recorded at a dose of 2.0 g/pot.