Pseudomonas fluorescens and Organic Amendments in the Management of Reniform Nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis in Cotton

摘要

Cotton is an important fiber crop cultivated worldwide. Reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis (Linford & Oliveira, 1940) is the most frequent and dominant nematode species in cotton causing 30.4 per cent less in yield (Anonymous, 2002). In addition to yield reduction, it also causes delay in maturity and reduction in size of bolls. Nematicides are often being used for the management of plant parasitic nematodes but indiscriminate usage poses environmental hazards. Thus, the biocontrol agents, which are eco-friendly in nature, are being investigated through out the world. Chitinolytic microbes like fluorescent pseudomonads from plant rhizosphere are shown to inhibit early root penetration of nematodes (Oostendorp and Sikora, 1989) and easy to multiply under in-vitro conditions. Addition of organic matter to soil has been reported to stimulate microbial activity resulting in increased enzymatic activities of the soil and accumulation of specific end products, which may be nematicidal (Badra and Elgindi, 1979; Rodriquez Kabana, 1986). With this aim, an experiment was conducted to study the effect of Pseudomonas fluorescens strain pfl in comparison with crab shell and neem cake combination in the control of reniform nematode in cotton.