INTERACTIONS OF MELOIDOGYNE JAVANICA, ROTYLENCHULUS RENIFORMIS, FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM F. SP. CICERI AND BRADYRHIZOBIUM JAPONICUM ON THE WILT DISEASE COMPLEX OF CHICKPEA

Abstract

The effects of Meloidogyne javanica, Rotylenchulus reniformis, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri and Bradyrhizobium japonicum on the disease complex of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) were examined. Individually, F. oxysporum reduced chickpea growth more than M. javanica, or R. reniformis but the inoculation of the pathogens together caused more damage than sum of damage caused by the pathogens singly. The highest suppression in plant growth was caused when M. javanica and R. reniformis were inoculated 10 days prior to F. oxysporum. Plants suffered less damage from pathogens when inoculated with B. japonicum. The inoculation of B. japonicum prior to the pathogens limited visible damage more so than later inoculation. Prior establishment of one nematode species was antagonistic to the multiplication of the other subsequently inoculated nematode species. Both B. japonicum and F. oxysporum had adverse effects on nematode multiplication. Greatest suppression in nematode multiplication was caused when F. oxysporum was inoculated prior to M. javanica, R. reniformis and B. japonicum. Each of the three pathogens adversely affected nodulation.