Bare-root-dip treatment of tomato seedlings with neem and Bacillus thuringiensis for the management of Meloidogyne incognita

Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita is one of the major limiting factors affecting plant growth and yield. Currently, synthetic pesticides are principle means used to control the nematodes but organic amendments and biocontrol agents may provide a safer alternatives. A study was conducted to evaluate the nematicidal potential of neem and Bacillus thuringiensis in controlling M. incognita. 5% neem leaf extract @ 10ml/seedling, 10% neem seed extract @ 10ml/seedling, 1.1X 10 CFU/ml Bt formulations alone @ 10ml/seedling and neem+Bt in combination in the ratio1:1 and 2.5% carbofuradan 3-G @ 10ml/seedling to control M. incognita infesting tomato plants. Bare-root-dip treatment with NSE was effective and caused 97.3%, and 120.3% significant increase (p<0.05) in total plant length and total plant weight respectively as compared to the inoculated control. The present study indicated that carbofuradan 3-G and WCS+NSE used as bare-root-dip treatment caused significant reduction in number of galls/root system by 75.5% and 42.1% as compared to the inoculated control. The bareroot-dip treatment with carbofuradan 3-G, WCS+NLE, CPR+NLE and CPR were effective and caused reduction in number of egg masses/gall by 70%, 49%, 48%, 41% respectively as compared to the inoculated control. The efficacy of carbofuradan 3-G, WCS+NLE, CPR, WCS+NSE as bareroot-dip treatment in reducing number of J2/1g root i.e. 86.8%, 68.9%, 68.4% and 67.3% respectively as compared to the inoculated control. Bare-root-dip treatment with WCS+NSE was effective and caused 63.6% reduction in number of males/250g soil as compared to the inoculated control.