An in-vivo method for mass multiplication of bacterial parasite, Pasteuria penetrans of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne sp.

A study was conducted to evaluate endospores production of Pasteuria penetrans in different hosts of rootknot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita viz., ornamental coleus (Coleus blumei), tuber coleus (C. forskohlii) and edible coleus (C. rotundifolius). P. penetrans infested juveniles of M. incognita was inoculated. The spore yield was recorded 60 days after inoculation was assessed and found to be highest in C. rotundifolius with an yield of 34.5 x 10 spores/pot of 2.5 kg capacity and 2.3 x 10 spores/g of root and tuber biomass. Based on the observation one more experiment was carried out in laboratory condition. Tubers of taro (Colocasia esculenta) and edible coleus (Coleus rotundifolius) were inoculated with P. penetrans infested juveniles of M. incognita and incubatedat roomtemperature (27±1°C) and the spore yield was determined at 30th day after inoculation. Higher number of females established on C. rotundifolius with the spore production of 2.5 x 10 spores/g root powder and 36.8 x 10 spores/tuber. The spore production was higher in C. rotundifolius than C. esculenta. Production of endospore under laboratory condition requires lesser time, cost and labour compared to conventional method.