Management of Root Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita in Banana (Cv. Robusta) through Biocontrol Agents and Neem Cake

A pot culture experiment was performed to study the effect of native promising biocontrol agents and neem cake separately and in combination against root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita infecting banana cv. Robusta during 2016-2017. Treatments treated with bioagents and neem cake enhanced plant growth and root characters and suppressed root gall development in banana plant as compared to nematode alone and untreated control treatments. Among the various treatments, the combined application of Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 10 g/plant + Trichoderma viride @ 10 gm/plant + neem cake @ 100 gm/plant resulted in maximum increase of plant height (38.8 cm), number of leaves (7), pseudostem girth (15 cm), root length (25.6 cm), highest number of healthy roots (17.0), poor number of infected roots (3.3), lowest root gall index (1 scale) and significantly reduced root-knot nematode population both soil (55.0 nos) and roots (90.0 nos). The application of single bioagent either P.fluorescens @ 10 gm/plant or T.viride @ 10 gm/plant along with neem cake were also recorded highest plant growth parameters and poor nematode infestation when compared to nematode alone treated control plant.