Management of Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita with Organic amendments in medicinal Coleus

The efficacy of locally available organic amendments such as neem cake, castor cake, pungam cake and vermicompost @ 500 kg/ha and 400 kg/ha were evaluated against Meloidogyne incognita in medicinal coleus, Coleus forskohlii under glasshouse and field conditions. Results revealed that all the organic amendments were found to reduce M. incognita population and increase root tuber yield. Further, among all organic amendments, neem cake was found significantly superior in reducing the nematode population and increasing growth and yield of medicinal coleus than pungam cake, vermicompost and castor cake. Neem cake application reduced M. incognita populations 28.6 -31.2% in soil and neem cake amended coleus plants recorded the gall index 3.3 - 4.0. It increased the root tuber yield 39.8 - 42.4% under glasshouse condition and 9.0% under field conditions.