Management of Disease-Complex Caused by Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita and Root Rot Fungus, Rhizoctonia solani on Balsam, Impatiens balsamina by Fungal Bioagents

Balsam is an economically important ornamental plant belonging to family Balsaminaceae. The incidence of disease due to the pathogens, Meloidogyne incognita and Rhizoctonia solani appear to be the first report of disease-complex affecting the host. Presence of both the pathogens together had more deleterious effect on balsam plants than alone indicating a positive interaction between the two. A study was conducted to investigate the effect of root-knot nematode and root-rot fungus singly as well as simultaneously. The fungal bioagents (Aspergillus fumigatus, A. terreus, Paecilomyces lilacinus and Trichoderma viride) showed improved plant growth parameters and reduction in nematode multiplication.