Effect of soil texture on infectivity of root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in chillies

The study was conducted to examine infectivity (penetration, gall & egg-mass formations) of the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita on chilli grown in 6 different soil textures viz sandy, red sodic, clay, sandy loam soils and pot mixture. The nematode penetrations in sand soil were significantly higher than other. However, gall and eggmass formations were remarkably increased in the pot mixture followed by sandy loam and sandy loam soils which was coincided with the general aspects of severe nematode infestations in sandy soil. This suggested the increased gall and egg-mass formations of M. incognita derived from the increased penetration in the sandy soil conditions, which provided sufficient aeration due to coarse soil nature for the nematodes, leading to their mobility increased for the enhanced root penetration. It is suggested that the sandy soil conditions affected positively on the healthy plant growth with little accumulation of the inhibitory materials and sufficient aeration, enhancing the nematode growth and feeding activities.