Virulence of Entomopathogenic Nematodes against Meloidogyne incognita for Invasion, Development and Reproduction at Different Application Times in Brinjal Roots

Keeping in view the staid health and ecological apprehensions coupled with the use of pesticides, entomopathogenic nematodes have the potential to supersede pesticides for the management of various pests.Brinjal is seriously affected by Meloidogyne incognita.Research was conducted on two important groups of nematodes, plant parasitic nematodes (RKNs) and insect parasitic nematodes (entomopathogenic nematodes).Steinernema asiaticum, S. glaseri, Heterohabditis indica and H. bacteriophora were evaluated at different time of application against M. incognita for invasion, development and reproduction of M. incognita.In a life cycle study, S. asiaticum and H. bacteriophora were proved more effective in influencing the life cycle of RKNs at all application times than S. glaseri and H. indica.However all application time of entomopathogenic nematodes (before, with and after) the application of M. incognita proved effective as compared to control.S. asiaticum and H. bacteriophora delayed penetration of nematode juveniles (J2) into roots of brinjal.