Effect of Entomopathogenic Nematodes on the Invasion, Development and Reproduction of Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita in Tomato

A tray experiment was conducted under green house condition to evaluate the effect of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) on the invasion, development and reproduction of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita in tomato. M. incognita juveniles inside tomato roots were fewer at all application times in plants treated with Steinernema carpocapsae than those in the untreated control plants. Minimum number of M. incognita juveniles was recovered from plants treated with S. carpocapsae simultaneously or 1 week prior to the infection of M. incognita juveniles compared to application of EPN 1 week after infection of M. incognita at all the observation periods. Application of Heterorhabditis indica at the time and one week before infection of M. incognita resulted in 50% reduction in invasion rate of M. incognita juveniles compared to control plants and plants treated with H. indica 1 week after infection. The results obtained from the experiments conducted with S. abbasi and S. feltiae were similar to that obtained with S. carpocapsae and H. indica. The presence of EPN before or at the time of infection of M. incognita juveniles can adversely affect and reduce the penetrating individuals and delay development of invaded nematodes in the root system and also reduced the number of egg laying females or reproduction.