Effect of different inocula of Rotylenchulus reniformis and their management with botanicals on Sunflower

The results revealed that the plants inoculated with 10 and 100 nematodes (J₄) were similar in growth as compared to check treatment. However, gradual loss in plant growth parameters was observed with increase in inoculum levels. This showed that Rotylenchulus reniformis was found pathogenic to the sunflower crop which adversely affected the growth. For the management of nematode five plants leaves namely neem, marigold, dhatura, oak, and lantana were evaluated for the nematicidal properties against R. reniformis. When plants extracts (S/8 &S/16 dilutions) were put around sunflower crop in pots, resulted an increase in shoot length, max. being in dhatura leaves extract. Similarly, a significant increase of shoot and root weights were also observed. However, maximum reduction of nematode population was noticed in neem and marigold leaf extracts.