Synergistic Effect of Botanicals and Microbial Biocontrol Agents against Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, infesting Banana

The present study investigated the use of combinations of organic amendments (neem and mustard cake), marigold and microbial antagonists (Trichoderma harzianum and Pochonia chlamydosporia) to manage root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita infecting banana under pot and field conditions in the Muzaffarpur district, Bihar. The combination of neem with T. harzianum showed a significant decline in the number of galls, females in root tissue, and M, incognita juveniles in soil. Effect of the above treatment was at par with the carbofuran treatment which also significantly reduced the nematode population over untreated control. Other combined treatments were also found effective in suppressing the nematodes counts, and gall numbers in both pot and field conditions. Overall, the study highlights the potential of botanical and microbial combinations as a sustainable alternative for managing rootknot nematode in banana cultivation.