EFFECT OF ROOT-KNOT AND RENIFORM NEMATODES ALONE AND IN COMBINATION ON THE GROWTH OF PIGEONPEA
Authors
S. Anver
M. M. Alam
Abstract
An increase in the inoculum level of Meloidogyne incognita and Rotylenchulus reniformis resulted in a relative decrease in plant growth parameters and bulk-density of pigeonpea stems. M. incognita caused greater reduction than R. reniformis at the same inoculum level. In concomitant inoculation of M. incognita and R. reniformis there was greater suppression in plant growth and bulk density of pigeonpea stems. The suppression in concomitant inoculations was less than the sum of the suppression caused by the same levels of inoculations of the individual species. The multiplication rate of the nematodes decreased as the inoculum level increased. The results also suggest competition for feeding sites between the two nematode species. The multiplication rate of one species progressively decreased with the increase in the inoculum level of the other nematode.