Bio-intensive management of root-knot nematodes on bell pepper using Pochonia chlamydosporia and Pseudomonas fluorescens

Abstract

Formulations of the egg parasitic fungus, Pochonia chlamydosporia, and Pseudomonas fluorescens were evaluated under field conditions for their efficacy against the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, infecting bell pepper. In the nursery bed, the formulation of P. chlamydosporia was significantly more effective at 50 g/m2 than at 25 g/m2 in reducing root galling index and the numbers of nematodes in roots and soil and increasing the percent parasitization of eggs and yield. Seed treatment with P. fluorescens alone or nursery treatment with P. chlamydosporia were also effective. The individual effect of each organism was maximized when both were added together to the nursery bed.