Abstract

Field trials were conducted to optimize the dosage of biocontrol agents for the management of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita in ridgegourd and snakegourd. The trials were conducted in a randomized block design during June and July for subsequent years (2013-14) with seven treatments and four replications. The results revealed that among the different dosages of application, seed treatment with P. fluorescens @ 50g/kg of seed was found effective, which recorded 15.2 t/ha with 58.3% increase in yield and 52.3% reduction in nematode population followed by seed treatment with T.viride @ 50g/kg seed, which showed 14.5 t/ha with 51.0% increase in yield and 50.0% reduction in nematode population.

Keywords: Biocontrol agents, Meloidogyne incognita, Ridgegourd, Snakegourd