Interaction between Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhiza and Meloidogyne Incognita, Heterodera Cajani on Cowpea as Influenced by time of Inoculation*

Prior establishment of VAM fungi by a week or two tended to mitigate the effect of Meloidogyne incognita and Heterodera cajani, on the plant growth of cowpea. Presence of either of the nematodes interfered with mycorrhizal root infection and spore production. The gall formation by M. incognita and cyst production by H. cajani, as also their multiplication was hampered by the early establishment of G. fasciculatum. As against this prior establishment of G. epigaeus resulted in increased host infestation and multiplication of the cyst nematode.