Management of Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in Black Gram through Botanical Amendments

Abstract

The root-knot nematode, M. incognita, affects a wide range of plants and is highly pathogenic to crops, causing severe damage and reduction in yield. Here, investigations were undertaken to evaluate the germplasm of black gram for resistance against M. incognita and to use chopped leaves for the management of Meloidogyne incognita in black gram. Studies on the efficacy of chopped leaves for the management of Meloidogyne incognita in black gram were conducted during the rabi season of 2022 under net house conditions. Observations were taken at maturity.  For recording the final nematode population in soil, 250 ml of soil sample was collected from each pot separately and processed by Cobb’s sieving and decanting technique. The results revealed that all the treatments were effective in increasing plant growth parameters shoot length, fresh weight and dry weight of shoot, and fresh weight and dry weight of root in black gram. All nine varieties, namely SBC-50, SBC-51, SBC-47, Manab, Beki, Kolong, Sonkush, SBC-40, and IPU-31 of black gram were determined to be vulnerable to Meloidogyne incognita. All the treatments notably reduced the counts of galls, egg masses, and the final nematode population in the soil. The use of 1.5% (w/w) water hyacinth was effective in enhancing growth parameters in black gram and decreasing the quantity of galls, egg masses, and the final nematode population in the soil.