Biological control of Meloidogyne Javanica in tomato by Paecilomyces Lilacinus and castor

Experiments were done in Meloidogyne javanica infested field. Evaluating the effect of castor leaves together with fertilizer and Paecilomyces lilacinus alone and in combination against the root-knot nematode, Meloidocqne juvanica on a tomato crop, it was observed that the castor alone (8kg/plot) with fertilizer resulted in significant reduction in nematode problem and increased shoot weight and yield over the control. Application by the fungus also reduced the gall index and increased the tomato yield. The integration of the two components and the fertilizer dose increased the efficiency of nematode control. The results obtained were comparable with that observed in the carbofuran treatment. The residual effect of the treatments, on the second crop of tomato showed continued efficacy in controlling M. javanica by 29.6–56.8 and 26.4–57. 9 per cent suppression in gall index and second stage juveniles, respectively, over control.