Field evaluation of talc based bioformulations of biocontrol agents for the management of Radopholus similis and Helicotylenchulus dihystera in banana

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted in banana cvs Neipoovan and Nendran at Onampalayam and Pannimadai villages of Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, India, respectively, to assess the bioefficacy of two promising native isolates of the bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pfbv22) and Bacillus subtilis (Bbv57) against burrowing nematode Radopholus similis and spiral nematode Helicotylenchus dihystera. The biocontrol agents were compared with the standard chemical carbofuran. Combined application of P. fluorescens and B. subtilis following paring of corms and coating (pralinage) each at 5 g/corm and soil application at 1.25 kg/ha significantly reduced the nematode population infesting banana. The treatment also significantly enhanced the plant height, pseudostem girth, number of leaves, total leaf area and fruit yield.