Bio-Management of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in Pigeon Pea Field Crop Using Neem-Based Products and Manurial Treatments

A field plots experiment was carried to investigate the influence of soil applications of neem-based (Achook and Nimbidin) and crop fertilizer (urea and cattle manure) treatments, separately and in combination on free-living and plant-pathogenic nematode populations and crop productivity. Data regarding the results showed that all the treatments significantly decreased the number of plant-parasitic nematodes. The combinations of both neem-products with urea were most effective in reducing plant-parasitic nematode populations. The neem products and product combinations with urea significantly decreased numbers of free-living nematodes compared to controls; however, numbers increased in the cattle-manure-treated plots. The growth of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) was improved in all the treatments, in part due to the control of plant parasitic nematodes and in part due to manurial effects.