Biomanagement of Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita in okra by Paecilomyces iilacinus

A glass house study was conducted to test the efficacy of oviparasitic fungus, Paecilomyces lilacinus against rootknot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita on okra. The results showed that the application of P. lilacinus as seed treatment @10, 15, & 20 g/kg seed and soil application @ 1.5 and 3% w/w significantly increased plant growth characters of okra and suppressed galls, egg masses/plant and eggs/egg mass. Of the two types of fungal applications tried, soil application was found to be better in increasing plant growth characters and reducing rootknot nematode population compared to nematode alone treatment. Maximum reduction in galls, egg masses, eggs/egg mass was 26.8, 36.8 and 40.6%, respectively in treatment that received soil application of P. lilacinus @ 3% w/w.