Comparison of different methods of application of Pasteuria penetrans for the control of Heterodera cajani on cowpea

Of the four methods tested for spore application of Pasteuria penetrans, strain isolated from Heterodera cajani, spores mixed with sand gave better control of H. cajani compared to application of spore suspension, infected cysts or seed coating. The maximum reduction in cyst and juvenile population was found to be 38.5 and 53.3%, respectively, by the application of sand mixed with spores and the minimum was only 8.9 and 20.3% when spores were applied as seed coating. Plant growth characters were at par in treatments receiving either spores mixed with sand or as spore suspension compared to control.