Record of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita infecting Celosia plumosa in Kerala

Survey was conducted in different flower gardens of Vellayani area of Thiruvanthapuram district of Kerala, India to identify the Meloidogyne spp. asscociated with Celosia plumosa and the effect of different inoculum level on the growth parameters. The root knot nematode species was identified as Meloidogyne incognita based on the morphological and morphometric data. The plants affected with the nematode showed delay in flowering, heavy galling in roots and incipent wilting. On comparing the effect of different inoculum levels of root knot nematode on Celosia plants, maximum reduction in shoot and root length was observed in plants with 1, 00, 000 J₂/pot and the reduction in growth parameters and nematode infestation were found to be directly proportional to the inoculum level.