Imran ul Haq

Bio-management of tomato wilt complex caused by Meloidogyne incognita and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici

The potential of biocontrol agents Purpureocillium lilacinum (Paecilomyces lilacinus) and Trichoderma harzianum was evaluated against tomato wilt complex, caused by a combination of Meloidogyne incognita and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, under both laboratory and field conditions. Biocontrol agents at spore concentration of 1 × 106 spores ml−1 were applied alone and in combined treatments. The results of combined application revealed maximum mortality and inhibition of hatching of M. incognita under in vitro conditions. Combined application of both antagonistic fungi was found to be more effective in mycelial inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. In glasshouse trials, application of T. harzianum promoted overall plant growth, followed by combined application of P. lilacinum and T. harzianum; nematode development parameters and fungus damage were significantly reduced. Under field conditions, the combined application of P. lilacinum and T. harzianum increased the number of leaves, shoot length, shoot weight and root length, and decreased root weight, with minimum number of females and egg masses of M. incognita per root system and mycelia inhibition of F. oxysporum.

Efficacy of Biopesticides for Management of Root Knot Nematode on Tomato

Biopesticides are being tested in control parasitic nematodes as a replacement for synthetic chemicals. This study was undertaken to investigate effects of the biopesticides abamectin, emamectin, and biosal on egg hatch and mortality of second instar juveniles (J2) of Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood under laboratory and field conditions on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L). Treatments consisted of the biopesticides and water (control). Numbers of J2 hatched was determined at 1, 3, and 6 days and mortality of J2 at 12, 24, and 48 h after inoculation. Evaluation of biopesticides under field conditions was for yield, number of flowers, numbers of fruit per plant, average fruit weight, shoot and root length, numbers of galls and egg masses per root system, and nematode rate of reproduction. Abamectin was more effective than emamectin and biosal against M. incognita under laboratory and field conditions. Application of abamectin produced the highest juvenile mortality and increased fruit weight, reduction in egg hatch, gall number, egg mass number, and rate of reproduction. Abamectin can be used under field conditions for management of M. incognita.