Effect of Meloidogyne incognita on Growth and Yield of Resistant and Susceptible Solanum lycopersicum (Mill) Varieties

The growth and yield of tomatoes (resistant & susceptible) as affected by Meloidogyne incognita, was evaluated in a phytotron providing 20°C night and 25°C day temperature and 12 hrs photoperiod. The nematode invasion as also the soil and root populations was drastically reduced in resistant cultivars (PBNR-7 and Hisar Lalit) compared to susceptible cv. Pusa Ruby. The resistant cultivars could contain both root and soil population up to 90 days. Hisar Lalit proved superior to PBNR-7 in suppressing the population build-up of M. incognita. Nematode population suppression increased plant growth and yield of resistant vs. susceptible cultivar. The cultivar PBNR-7 gave maximum yield. High tomatine tomato cultivars might provide plant protection besides additional health benefits.