Management of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita on Ash gourd (Benincasa hispida) and Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) using bio-control agents

The results showed that among the bio-control agents, Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 2.5 kg/ha was found effective in increasing the yield of ash gourd and pumpkin to an extent of 62.6% and 61.5%, respectively over control. It was followed by Trichoderma viride which was significantly different from P. fluorescens but was at par with T. viride. whereas, Pacealomyces lilacinus and Basicillus subtilis were at par with each other. Application of carbofuran was found effective in reducing the nematode population but the effect was at par with P. fluorescens which recorded 43.3%, 45.2% and 53.1%, 49.8% reduction in soil and root population in ash gourd and pumpkin, respectively.