Evaluation of bio-agents, synthetic insecticides and organic amendment against the root-knot nematode, <i>Meloidogyne</i> spp. in cardamom [<i>Elettaria cardamomum</i> (L.) Maton]

<p> Investigations were made to study the effects of three nemato-pathogenic fungi<em> viz.</em> <em>Purpureocillium lilacinum</em>, <em>P. lilacinum</em> + neem cake, <em>Pochonia chlamydosporia</em> and<em> Trichoderma</em> sp. as well two synthetic insecticides (cartap hydrochloride and carbosulfan) against Root-knot Nematodes (RKN) cardamom at farmers’ fields in locations Idukki district, Kerala, India during 2016- 2019. Results revealed that combined application with cake gave maximum reduction typical symptoms infestation like leaf narrowing (6.42%) root knot formation (1.32 nos.) followed by 8.04% narrowed leaves 1.83 knots. The combination (0.82 kg/plant 2.99) by<em> P. (0.71 2.71 recorded highest yield Benefit Cost Ratio, respectively). Bio-control agents are therefore efficient environmentally safer for managing RKN cardamom. Future studies can be directed focus on compatibility efficiency enhancement these bio-agents organic amendments.</p>