Bio-Management of Root-Knot Nematodes in Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) Tobacco Nursery of Karnataka Light Soils

A replicated trials conducted to evaluate nematode antagonistic organisms viz., Pseudomonas fluorescens, Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma viride singly and in rational combinations by enriching with FYM against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita in FCV tobacco nursery indicated that application of Aspergillus niger + Pseudomonas fluorescens enriched FYM @ 4 kg/m² recorded significantly reduced Root Knot Index of 1.97 as compared to 3.80 in check. Significant reduction in soil population of root-knot nematodes at the time of final pulling to the tune of 49.5% was recorded in the nursery beds treated with Pseudomonas fluorescens, + Aspergillus niger enriched FYM @ 4 kg/m². The subsequent increase in number of root-knot free and total healthy transplantable seedlings was to the tune of 40.2% over check. The results are on par with chemical nematicide, carbofuran.