Identification of Rhizospheric Microorganisms That Manages Root Knot Nematode and Improve Oil Yield in Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum), a highly valuable medicinal crop, is extremely susceptible to Meloidogyne incognita infestation, leading severe losses in yield and chemo-pharmaceutical quality. Currently, chemical nematicides are the only effective option for disease management. However, high toxicity non-target organisms adverse impact on soil health motivated look ecofriendly alternatives. Here, bioinoculants (Bacillus megatarium (“BM”), B. subtilis (“BS”)) were isolated from rhizosphere of various aromatic plants growing Lucknow region, India. Their biocontrol effects studied O. basilicum that invaded by M. either single or consortium with Trichoderma harzianum (“TH”) their efficiency compared nematicide (carbofuran) microbial reference strain (Pseudomonas fluorescens). The results show all enhanced growth oil production increased nutrient content significantly reducing infestation 46 72%. Among strains, BM TH was most potent treatment. these not restricted sterile condition but remained also natural conditions, indicating enriching soils rhizospheric microbes can be an alternative nematicides.