Interaction effect of Steinernema spp. and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus intraradices on the development and reproduction of Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) in tomato.

Micro plot studies were conducted at PDBC, Bangalore to evaluate the combined effect of Entomopathogenic Nematodes (EPN), Steinemema abbasi, S. carpocapsae and S. feltiae at three dosages with and without Arbuscular Mycorhizal Fungus (AMF), Glomus intraradices on the development and reproduction of root-knot nematodes, Meluidugyne incognita in tomato. Observations recorded at harvest stage revealed that application of, S. carpocapsae @4x105/m2 along with AMF reduced the no. of galls and egg masses per root system, no. of eggs/eggmass and hatch rate of eggs. Enhancement in growth, development and yield of tomato in terms of shoot height, shoot weight, root length, root weight no. of branches/plant, no. of flowers, no. of fruits and fruit yield was obtained. This treatment was followed by the S. abbasi @ 2x105/m2 + AMF and H. indica alone @4x105/m2. The persistence of H. indica was more in the plot receiving a dose of 4x105/m2 followed by 2x105 and 1x105/m2 however; there was no difference in percent mortality of Gallaria mellonella larvae with and without AM fungus treatments.