Bare-root dip of brinjal seedlings in phytochemicals for the management of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne Incognita)

Abstract

Aqueous ncem leaf extract, neem oil and marotti oil at different concentrations were tested as bare-root dip treatments for their efficacy in containing root-knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White, 1919) Chitwood, 1949] infestation in brinjal. Root-dip in neem leaf extract for 1 h resulted in significantly better height and number of leaves in the treated plants than neem oil and marotti oil. Among the different concentrations of nccm leaf extract tested, 6.25 and 25 per cent extracts proved more effective. Significant reduction in gall index was also seen in neem leaf extract treated plants. Higher concentrations of the extract (50 and 25 per cent) significantly reduced the number of egg masses produced. But none of the phytochemicals had any adverse effect on the hatching of the egg masses. All the three phytochemicals irrespective of the doses reduced population of the nematode in the soil. An overall assessment of the result established the superiority of neem leaf extract (25%) among the different phytochemicals in checking nematode infestation.