Pest Management in Horticultural Ecosystems

Effect of abiotic factors viz, as soil type, soil pH and soil moisture on attachment of endospores of Pasteuria penetrans to second stage juveniles of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita was studied. Spore attachment and number of spores attached per juvenile to be increased when soil moisture was high (90%). Sandy loam soil showed 97.5 per cent spore attachment and was found more suitable than other soil types. Soil pH of 5.0–7.0 was suitable for spore attachment on juveniles and extreme alkaline and acidic pH were found to reduce spore attachment on juveniles.