Management of Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita Infecting Tuberose by Using Bioformulations under Field Condition

Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of different bioformulations for management of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita infecting tuberose under field condition. Study Design: Randomized Block Design. Place and Duration of Study: Biswanath College of Agriculture, AAU, Biswanath Chariali, Assam during summer season 2024. Methodology: Bulbs of tuberose cultivar Prajwal were planted in root-knot nematode infested sick plot. In this experiment seven treatments were considered and the treatments were replicated thrice. Bioformulations viz., Neem cake, Neem leaf power, Biover, Biozium, Biomonas and AAU-Bioguard were applied treatment wise and mixed with soil before planting of bulbs. Observations on plant height and floral characteristics viz. spike length, rachis length, spike weight, number of floret per spike, floret length and nematode multiplication parameters like number of galls, egg masses per root system and final nematode population in soil were recorded. Results: Upon observation results showed that all the treatments were significantly effective in increasing the plant height, floral characteristic and reducing the number of galls, eggmasses and final nematode population in soil as compared to that of untreated control. Highest plant height(46.50cm), spike length (66.33cm), spike weight (37.33g), rachis length(32cm), number of florets per spike(25.26) and floret length(4.66cm) was recorded in the treatment with Biover@5kg enriched with FYM 5t/ha, which was followed by the treatment with Biozium @5kg enriched with FYM 5t/ha and neem cake @ 1t/ha. Maximum reduction of number of galls (35.18%), eggmasses (31.79%) and final nematode population in soil (39.65%) was recorded in the treatment with Biover@5kg enriched with FYM 5t/ha. Conclusion: From this experiment it can be concluded that all the bioformulations were found to be effective for increasing plant height, floral characteristic and reducing the nematode multiplication and these can be incorporated in root-knot nematode management programme. Among the bioformulations Biover was found to be most effective.