Integrated management of root knot nematode in tuberose

Tuberose is one of the most important bulbous ornamental crops cultivated commercially in different states of India including Punjab, where nematodes infestation is one of the problem of concern to the growers. Among nematodes, their infectivity rank in Punjab goes as Aphelenchoides besseyi, Meloidogyne incognita and Rotylenchulus reniformis. A. besseyi was first reported on tuberose in Hawaii causing ‘floral malady’. Although larval population of root knot nematode, M. incognita in Tuberose (var Single local) in the experimental plot in the farm area of the Department of Flriculture and Landscaping was low, these were treated with neem cake, neem seed powder, carbofuran, Trichoderma harzianum and Paecilomyces lilacinum but the root knot nematode galling was however significant, indicating high degree of infection in tuberose with low level of infestation in soil. The number of bulbs and bulblets formed and the weight of bulb lets was not significantly improved but the yield in terms of weight of bulbs was appreciably increased in carbofuran treatment followed by T. harzianum and P. lilacinum treated plots. Root galling was well under control in carbofuran treated plots. Observations on foliar parts revealed that no stage of foliar nematode, Aphelenchoides besseyi was present in tuberose, so was the case with R. reniformis that too of its soil infestation.