Biological control of plant parasitic nematodes associated with chickpea using oil cakes and Paecilomyces lilacinus

The addition of organic matter to soil has been explored as an alterantive means of nematode control. Oil-seed cakes of neem (Azadirachta indica), castor (Ricinus communis), groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), linseed (Linum usitatissimum), sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and soybean (Glycine mu) were found to be highly effective in reducing the multiplication of soil nematodes and subsequently plant growth increased significantly. The multiplication rate of nematodes was less in the presence of Paecilomyces lilacinus as compared to the absence of P. lilacinus. Damage caused by the nematodes was further reduced when P. lilacinus was added along with oil-seed cakes. Most effective combination of P. lilacinus was with neem cake, under field conditions.