An IPM Package for the Management of Soil Borne Fungal and Root Knot Nematode Diseases on Tomato and Okra

Extensive surveys of vegetable growers in western U.P revealed that over and indiscriminate use of toxic pesticides since long for the control of soil borne fungi and root knot nematode on tomato and okra caused damage to soil, plant and human health. The present investigation was undertaken to switch on to sustainable management of soil borne fungal diseases and root-knot nematode infesting vegetable crops through evolved IPM Package by demonstration in farmer's fields of district Bulandshahar of western U.P. These fields referred as “hot spots” were heavily infested with soil borne root wilt/rot fungi both alone and in integration with root-knot nematode causing heavy yield loss. The proposed package comprised of sustainable management components viz. fungal bioagents i.e. Trichoderma viride, Paecilomyces lilacinus, neem oilseed cake and botanical antagonists having already been tested to be successful in improving productivity and quality of tomato and okra with remarkable reduction in disease complex incidences.