EVALUATION OF PLANT BASED FORMULATIONS OF TRICHODERMA HARZIANUM FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF MELOIDOGYNE INCOGNITA ON EGG PLANT

Aqueous extracts of neem (Azadirachta indica), castor (Ricinus communis) and pongamia (Pongamia pinnata) cakes were evaluated as substrates for mass production of the biological control agent, Trichoderma harzianum which was used in the management of Meloidogyne incognita in egg plant under fields conditions. Castor cake extract at 10% gave maximum growth of mycelial mat and spore production of T. harzianum compared with moderate growth in 10% pongamia cake and 5% castor cake extracts. Application of plant based formulations of T. harzianum to nursery beds of egg plant was effective in producing vigorous seedlings (increase in plant height and seedling weight) with the least root galling. The above treatments also increased root colonization and parasitization of M. incognita females by T. harzianum.