Role of Reniform Nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis in reducing Disease-Complex on Tomato Caused by Root-Knot Nemtode, Meloidogyne incognita and Wilt Fungus, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici

A pot trial study on the interaction of Meloidogyne incognita (Mi), Rotylenchulus reniformis (Rr) and wilt fungus, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici (Fol) showed that the treatment where Mi inoculated prior to Rr and Fol, the plants were synergistically affected (biomass-18 g) and increased the severity of Fusarium wilt disease-complex, while prior establishment of Rr not only negatively affected the Mi population but also reduced the Fusarium wilt severity. The population density of both the nematodes was observed to be mostly competitive in nature, one establishes at the cost of the other. In Rr dominated plants not only a significant decrease in final population (18%) of Mi was recorded but also recorded a good recovery in biomass (40%) in comparison to the plants where Mi dominated Rr and given prior to Fol.