Seed Soaking of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.) in Extracts of Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) Products for the Management of Plant Parasitic Nematodes

Okra seeds were treated with aqueous extracts/suspensions of neem products - neem seed meal (NSM), neem seed kernel (NSK) powder, neem cake (expeller)- NCE, neem cake (laboratory)-NCL, acetone extract concentrate (B) and, concentrates of the ethyl acetate (F) and water fractions (E) of the acetone extract. The treatments showed significant reduction in the number of root knot galls compared to control. NSK, NCE and ethyl acetate extract concentrate, with minimum number of galls, were the most effective products followed by NSM and NCL, while water extract and acetone extract concentrates were the least effective with maximum number of galls. Soil population of nematodes viz., root-knot, reniform and other plant parasitic nematodes was also significantly reduced with these treatments. Reduction in soil population of root knot and reniform nematodes ranged from 35.76–54.31% and 22.99 - 72.09% respectively. Increase in shoot length and the fruit yield was achieved with all the treatments, whereas the root length remained unaffected.