Interaction of Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita and Fusarium oxysporum on Tomato

The interaction between Meloidogyne incognita and Fusarium oxysporum on tomato was investigated under net house condition. Combined inoculation of M. incognita (1000 J₂/kg soil) and F. oxysporum (1% w/w) significantly reduced the plant growth parameters of tomato cv. S-22 Dhana Luxmi compared with single inoculations. Simultaneous application of the two pathogens caused greatest reduction in the plant growth. The highest number of galls, egg masses, eggs per mass, and nematode population were recorded in the plants inoculated with only M. incognita, while the highest fungus multiplication was recorded in the presence of the nematode. The interaction between M. incognita and F. oxysporum intensified the suppressions in the plant growth of tomato. The time gape in the inoculation of the two pathogens influenced the extent of damage.