Interrelatioships between Meloidogyne incognita and Fusarium oxysporum on susceptible and resistant cultivars of cowpea

Meloidogyne incognita enhanced wilting of cowpea cultivar Pusa Komal when inoculated in combination with Fusarium oxysporum. Nematode inoculation preceeded by fungal inoculation showed maximum effect (synergitic), followed by the treatment where both the pathogens were inoculated simultaneously. Presence of nematodes not only predisposed the host but also shortened the incubation period for disease expression. Both the pathogens interacting simultaneously or nematode infecting prior to fungus, affected nodulation.