MSc

A study was conducted in pots to determine the pathogenicity of the
root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White, 1919)
Chitwood, 1949 on chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). A significant reduction
was seen in the growth parameters' at 30, 60 DAT and final harvest when
chilli plants were inoculated with 50, 100, 200 and 300 hllOO g soil.
A progressive reduction in yield was also observed wi th increase in the
inoculum levels, the reduction in yield ranging from 17.59 to 62.99 per
cent. Multiplication of the nematode was high at 50 and 100 hll 00 g soil.
Considering the importance of the crop in the state, 40 per cent loss in
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yield and multiplication of the nematode in relation to its initial density at
100 Jz 11 00 g soil, the damage threshold of the nematode was fixed as 100
lj100 g soil.
Thirteen accessions including high yielding varieties and local
accessions were screened in pots for resistance to M. inco gnita. Pusa
Sadabahar and Khandari were moderately resistant to the nematode. Pusa
Sadabahar,Pusa Jwala and Pant C-l were moderately resistant to
infestation of chilli thrips, Scirtothr ips dorsalis and chilli mite,
Polyphagotarsonemus latus. The high yielding varieties, Jwalamukhi and
Jwalasakhi released by Kerala Agricultural University were susceptible to
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the nematode but moderately resistant to pest infestation.
Three bioagents viz., AMF @ 250 spores per plant, fluorescent
pseudomonads 2 per cent and Trichoderma sp. 5 per cent and oilcakes viz.,
neem cake and mustard cake @ 1 t ha-l were evaluated for their efficacy in
controlling M. incognita in comparison with carbofuran @l kg ai ha-l in
pots. Treatment with the bioagents protected chilli plants better from the
infestation of the nematode while amendment of soil with oilcakes
resulted in better growth of plants. Yield was also higher in plants treated
with bioagents. Among the bioagents, application of AMF @ 250 spores

per plant and Trichoderma sp. 5 per cent were equally effective 111
reducing nematode infestation and increasing yield of chilli.
Based on the results of the study. M. incognito can be considered as a
potential threat to the cultivation of chilli at 100 hll 00 g soil. Cultivation
of the varieties Pusa Jwala or Pusa Sadabahar would be a viable option in
areas where root-knot nematode and chilli mite and thrips are a major
problem. Application of the vermiculite formulation of AMF @ 250
spores per plant or Trichoderma sp. 5 per cent at planting can be
recommended for inclusion 111 integrated nematode management
programmes in chilli.