Effect of copper sulphate on beet-root, Beta vulgaris infested with Meloidogyne incognita

One week old seedlings of beet-root, Beta vulgaris, pre-treated with three concentrations of copper sulphate (CuSO₄, 5H₂O) viz.: 2,500; 1,250 and 625 ppm respectively, were inoculated with 100, 1,000 and 10,000 second stage juveniles (J₂) of Meloidogyne incognita per plant. Observations made on the plant growth parameters and Mean Gall Index (M.G.I.) after 90 days of sowing revealed that the above treatments effectively reduced the root gall formation and enhanced the plant growth. Higher concentrations with low J₂ inoculation levels were more effective in comparison to lower concentrations and high J₂ inoculation levels.