Control of Root-knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita and Reniform Nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis on Chickpea

The root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood and reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis (Linford and Oliveiro) have been found consistently associated with plant damage and reduced yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), important pulse (grain legume) crop of India.

Seeds of chickpea were soaked in S, S/2, S/4 extracts of rice polish and 0.1, 0.3, 0.5% solution of pyridoxine for 4 h. Four treated seeds were sown in each pot. Three week old plants were inoculated with 5000 M. incognita or R. reniformis larvae.

The root-knot nematode M. incognita and reniform nematode, R. reniformis caused significant reduction in different growth parameters (length and weight of plant, number of pods), chlorophyll content of leaf and water absorption of roots. Similar effects were also observed in plants raised from seeds soaked in different concentrations of water soluble fractions (WSF) of rice polish and pyridoxine solutions, however, the reductions were of comparatively lesser extent. Higher concentrations of the solutions were more effective as compared to lower ones and pyridoxine was more beneficial than WSF for improving plant growth and reducing disease incidence.