Potential of Bacterial Parasite, Pasteuria penetransApplication as Nursery Soil Treatment and Seed Treatment in Controlling Meloidogyne graminicola Infecting Rice

The bacterial parasite, MgPp was assessed as nursery soil and seed treatment against Meloidogyne graminicola on rice in green-house. Application of aqueous spore suspension of MgPp at higher doses of 0.5x10⁴ and 1x10⁴ led to 13 and 43% female parasitization. Results at these two doses were comparable to carbofuran. Among the P. penetrans doses, the effect increased with dose. Final J2 population in soil was reduced to the extent of 44.4, 52.5 and 61.7% by P. penetrans doses of 1x10³, 0.5x10⁴ and 1x10⁴ spores per g soil, respectively. On the other hand, only at 4% dose of seed coating significant reduction in egg production, root galling and infection of females was recorded. Final J2 population in soil was reduced (12.5%) significantly only at 4% dose of P. penetrans, while carbosulfan reduced it more effectively (40.8%).