Management of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kafoid & White) Chitwood, on crossandra (Crossandra undulaefolia Salisb.) using Pochonia chlamydosporia and Pseudomonas fluorescens

Formulations of Pochonia chlammydosporia and Pseudomonas fluorescens were evaluated under field conditions for their efficacy against the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kafoid & White) Chitwood, infecting crossandra (Crossandra undulaefolia Salisb.). Treatment of the nursery bed with the formulations of P. chlamydosporia and P. fluorescens each at 50 g/m² and seed treatment with later was significantly effective in reducing number of nematodes in roots and soil, increasing the per cent parasitization or per cent suppression of eggs by bio-control agents and also flower yield of crossandra. The seedlings were colonized by both bio-agents and when transplanted in the field the bio-agents reached the field soil as they were recovered from root and soil samples at harvest of the crop. Individual effect of bio-agents was maximized when both these organisms were integrated in the nursery bed stage. This could be due to the combined effect of both organisms on root-knot nematode. Integrated use or combined use of P. flurosccncc and P. chlamydosporia did not affect each other in colonization on root.