Comparative efficacy of bio control agents against root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) infecting brinjal

A replicated pot culture experiment was conducted in the net house of Department of Nematology Assam Agriculture University, Assam during Rabi season with bio formulations like Trichoderma viride, Pasteuria penetrans, FYM and Glomus fasciculatum to compare their effectivity against root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita), along with chemical check (Carbofuran 3G), in a poly house against a susceptible local variety of brinjal (JC1). Data on plant growth parameters and nematode infestations were recorded 8 weeks after inoculation. Treatment of soil with Carbofuran 3G @ 9 g/m2 manifested best results of plant height (33.84cm), fresh weight of shoot (21.69 g), dry weight of shoot (5.22 g), fresh weight of root (12.84 g) and dry weight of root (1.32 g) and lowest infestation values of no. of galls (11.60), no. of eggmasses (17.20) and final nematode population (150.60/250cc soil) but soil treatment with T. viride conveyed significant results promoting plant growth and declining gall formation and nematode multiplication along with. The mechanism of mycoparasitism, antibiosis, and competition of Trichoderma has been widely studied. The chitinolytic enzyme system and cell wall degrading enzymes like gliotoxin, peptaibols plays a significant role in egg parasitism. Our result advocates wide scale application of selected metabolites like Trichoderma sp to induce host resistance and also represents a powerful tool for the implementation of IPM strategies to play a major role in crop protection and bio-fertilization.