ON FIELD MANAGEMENT OF ROOT-KNOT INFESTATION IN TOMATO AND BRINJAL THROUGH BIOFORMULATIONS OF PAECILOMYCES LILACINUS AND POCHONIA CHLAMYDOSPORIA

Bioformulations like wettable powder, aqueous liquid and granules of Paecilomyces lilacinus (Nematofree) and Pochonia chlamydosporia (Nematofree+) were evaluated against root-knot infestation in tomato and brinjal at two farmer’s field. The application of the bio-nematicides were carried out at transplanting stage of the crops as root dipping (@ 10gm or ml/ 1L of water) and soil treatment (@5Kg or L/acre incorporated with FYM).The root-knot infestation data was recorded by observing the foliage symptoms of root-knot infestation i.e., stunting, premature wilting, and leaf chlorosis. All the six treatments i.e., T1: Nematofree (WP), T2: Nematofree (Liquid), T3: Nematofree (Granule), T4: Nematofree+ (WP), T5: Nematofree+ (Liquid), T6: Nematofree+(Granule) showed significant reduction in the root-knot nematode infestation in both tomato crop (90 to 96%) and brinjal (75 to 86%). Among all formulation types, the wettable powder formulation of both bio-nematicides provided promising result in reduction of root-knot infestation symptoms. Nematofree+ was found to be more effective than Nematofree in controlling the infestation. Application of both the bionematicides also increased the final yield in case of both tomato and brinjal.