Screening of Gladiolus Cultivars for Tolerance to Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne incognita)

The study aimed to find out the source of resistance against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita in different gladiolus cultivars. The experiment was conducted in the nursery of Plantation Crop Garden, Biswanath College of Agriculture, AAU, Biswanath Chariali, Assam during rabi season 2023. Plastic pots of 1000 cm3 capacity were filled with sterilized soil, sand and cow dung mixture in the ratio of 2:1:1. After filling of pots a single corm of eight different gladiolus cultivars were planted in each pot. The pots were arranged in completely randomized design with five replications for each cultivar. Fifteen day after planting each plant was inoculated with freshly hatched second stage juveniles of M. incognita @1 J2/cm3 soil. Upon observation two months after inoculation results showed that three cultivars viz. Arka Amar, Suchitra and Pusa Suhangini were recorded as susceptible and other five cultivars viz. Red Candiman, American Beauty, Arka Arti, Arka Darshan and White Prosperity were recorded as moderately resistant. From this experiment it can be concluded that no one cultivar found to be resistant against root-knot nematode. Five cultivars were found to be moderately resistant and others were recorded as susceptible. In absence of resistant cultivars, moderately resistant cultivars can be planted in root-knot nematode endemic areas as alternative to susceptible cultivars.