CONCOMITANT INTERACTION OF MELOIDOGYNE CHITWOODI AND PRATYLENCHUS NEGLECTUS IN A POTATO CROPPING SYSTEM

Abstract

Concomitant interaction of Meloidogyne chitwoodi and Pratylenchus neglectus was investigated on potato cv. Russet Burbank under glass house, microplot and field conditions. M. chitwoodi alone or with P. neglectus significantly reduced size 1 and size 3 tubers respectively. Green manure crops of oil radish, barley, velvetbean and buckwheat prior to potato resulted in decline of M. chitwoodi and P. neglectus population densities and tuber yield increase compared to fallow. Maximum yield followed barley while minimum soil and root population of both nematode species was in velvetbean plots. Application of prophos along with green manure significantly increased the tuber yield and grade 1 and 2 tubers as compared to fallow. Among all, buckwheat as a preceding crop increased the above parameters more than the other green crops.