TABLE CONTENTS

TOPIC SIXTEEN – ORGANIC AMENDMENTS AND MANAGEMENT
Efficacy of Neem Seed Granules, Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas
fluorescens Alone or in Combination against Meloidogyne incognita
infecting Cucumber and Tomato
A.S. Ardakani, H.S. Gaur, A. Kamra & V. Mojumder
Division of Nematology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, INDIA
The neem, Azadirachta indica tree is known to possess nematicidal properties in its different
parts as well as in seed but large quantities needed to give desired reduction in nematode
population densities. Biological control of nematodes using various antagonistic fungi,
bacteria etc. offers an attractive alternative but effects are slow. Integration of two or more
methods provides better results. However, it is necessary that these methods are compatible
with each other or are made compatible by suitable modifications such as by formulation or
application technologies. Neem is known for its abilities to suppress certain kinds of fungi
and bacteria besides nematodes. Similarly, a number of fungi and bacteria are known to
possess antibiotic properties against other fungi and/or bacteria. A neem seed granular
formulation (NSG) was developed and tested for its compatibility and integration with the
fungus, Trichoderma viride and the bacteria, Pseudomonas fluorescens. Application of these
three alone and in combinations significantly reduced the root galling of cucumber and
tomato due to Meloidogyne incognita, except in case of NSG alone and combination of all the
three, i.e., NSG + T. viride + P. fluorescens. P. fluorescens, NSG + P. fluorescens and NSG +
T. viride improved plant growth at par with carbofuran. The least effective combination was
NSG + T. viride + P. fluoroscens. It was at par with T. viride and NSG alone, giving no
additional advantage due to the combinations. In vitro investigations indicated certain degree
of incompatibility among the three components. NSG suppressed growth of P. fluorescens
and T. viride, however, inhibition was temporary. But P. fluorescens caused considerable
reduction in growth of T. viride. These results show that NSG and the bioagents could
significantly, but not completely reduce the infection and reproduction of M. incognita on
cucumber and tomato.
Plant Parasitic Nematodes Associated with Sugarcane in Kenya and their
Management using Host Resistance and Crop Mixtures
Chirchir, A. (1), J. Kimenju (2) & F. Olubayo (2)
(1) Kenya Sugar Research Foundation, P. O. Box 44 – 40100, Kisumu, Kenya; (2) University of
Nairobi, P. O. Box 29053-00605, Nairobi, Kenya
A study to identify plant parasitic nematodes associated with sugarcane in western Kenya and
to determine the factors influencing their abundance and distribution was conducted in Nzoia,
Mumias, West Kenya and Busia zones. Soil samples were collected from randomly selected
farms in each zone. 15 genera of plant parasitic nematodes were recovered from sugarcane
rhizosphere. The most predominant were Pratylenchus, Scutellonema and Meloidogyne
species with densities of 21%, 18% and 13% respectively. Other nematodes found in
association with sugarcane were in the genera Rotylenchus, Aphelenchoides, Paratylenchus,
Tylenchus, Helicotylenchus, Tylencorhyncus, Xiphinema, Ditylenchus, Hoplolaimus,
5 th International Congress of Nematology, 2008 275