Bioefficacy of Pseudomonas and Bacillus Isolates Against Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita in Black Pepper cv. Panniyur 1

Native isolates of Pseudomonas and Bacillus collected from the rhizosphere of different horticultural crops were tested for their efficacy against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita infesting black pepper. All the native isolates of Pseudomonas and Bacillus tested were shown to increase the germination per cent and enhanced the vigour index of rice under roll towel method. Under in vitro studies, greatest reduction in nematode egg hatching and highest juvenile mortality was observed in the culture filtrate of consortia of Pseudomonas isolate, Pf 123 and Bacillus isolate, Bs 214 at its 100 per cent concentration. Under glass house and field conditions, plants treated with the consortia, Pf 123 + Bs 214 significantly enhanced the plant growth, yield and reduced nematode infestation both in soil and root.