EFFECT OF PASTEURIA PENETRANS ON THE PENETRATION AND MULTIPLICATION OF HETERODERA CAJANI IN VIGNA UNGUICULATA ROOTS

Abstract

The effect of different levels of spore load of Pasteuria penetrans, on penetration and multiplication of pigeon-pea cyst nematode on cowpea was studied. The penetration of spore encumbered second-stage juveniles (J2) of Heterodera cajani into the roots of cowpea plants was significantly reduced at and above levels of 20-40-spores/J2. Plant growth was positively correlated with bacterial spore load on J2, whereas the nematode multiplication was negatively correlated. The maximum decrease in final cyst formation and J2 population was 86.7 and 98.8 per cent, respectively at a level of 40 spores/J2.