Effect of Hot Water Treatment on Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood Infecting Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa Linn.) Bulbs

Three temperatures (45, 50, 55°C) and time (15, 30, 45 min) combinations tested for hot-water treatment of root-knot nematode infected tuberose bulbs showed an improvement in plant growth and a good reduction of nematode population at all the treatments given at 50°C. This temperature was more effective for 45 min treatment giving a reduction of 43, 36 and 57% in galls number, eggmasses number and soil population of nematode respectively. Hot water treatment given for 15 min at a temperature of 45°C was not effective. A reduction of 26, 21 and 27% in galls number, eggmasses number per plant and soil population of nematodes was obtained with hot-water treatment of 45°C for 45 min. The bulbs were sensitive to hot water treatment of 55°C given for 30 min or more. These treatments resulted in delayed establishment of the plant and the reduction in plant growth parameters of tuberose.