Assessing Meloidogyne Incognita Population Dynamics In Tomato: Comparative Study of Open Field and Polyhouse Conditions

Root knot nematode is an economically important pathogen affecting the crop in both the cultivation systems i.e. open and protected. The present research revealed that the reproduction of M. incognita population was comparatively higher in polyhouse as compared to open cultivation of tomato. Low inoculums levels reached to pathogenic levels due to higher multiplication of root knot nematode in polyhouses as compared to open cultivation system. There is substantial impact on buildup of nematode populations under prevailing environmental conditions. The infestation of M. incognita affected the growth parameters and health of the crop and the effects were more at higher inoculum levels in both the cultivation systems. Comparatively, due to higher multiplications, the infestation of root knot nematode may have more severe impact on the same crop grown in polyhouse.