Efficacy of Pasteuria penetrans and various oil seed cakes in management of Meloidogyne incognita in chilli pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).

A green house study was conducted to evaluate the comparative efficacy of Pasteuria penetrans under the influence of organic amendments of four oil seed cakes namely Azadirachta indica (Locally known as Neem), castor ( Ricinus communis ), mustard (Brassica campestris ) and Citrullus (Citrullus colocynthis ) on suppression of populations of Meloidogyne incognita in Chilli. Oil seed cakes were applied at the rate of 20 mg/Pot (500 kg/ha), either individually or in combination with one dose of P. penetrans (100 g/kg soil). Application of oil seed cakes and P. penetrans , singly or in combination, proved effective in reduction of gall and final root-knot nematode population. Combination of castor and P. penetrans showed greater reduction in galling index (84.75%) and final population (85.74%) over the M. incognita control than other treatments. In addition, oil seed cake significantly improved the shoot and root dry matter of chilli. Among the four oil cakes tested, the combined application of P. penetrans with castor oil cake seemed to be more promising in the management of M. incognita in chilli as it resulted in greater nematode suppression and improved plant health.