Variation in Calcium Content of Ginger Germplasm Inoculated with Bio-Agent, Trichoderma viride against Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita

The study was aimed to control nematodes in ginger crop in a sustainable way through inoculation of bio-agent, Trichoderma viride. The outcome of our research revealed that Trichoderma viride alone (T2) was the most effective treatment among all. This bio-agent has lowered the root-knot nematode populations by suppressing the disease intensity and responsible for enhancement of plant growth, increases the availability of nutrients to host plant. Meloidogyne incognita alone (T1) infected rhizomes resulted in highest reduction of calcium content amounting 2.26 and 2.43 mg/100g dry weight whereas maximum content was recorded in Trichoderma viride alone (T2) inoculated rhizomes as 2.84 and 3.08 mg 100g-1 dry weight in suravi and suprabha over control (T7) respectively. Trichoderma viride inoculated 15 days prior to Meloidogyne incognita (TV→MI) was found to be most efficient one among all combined treatments. Susceptibility towards nematode induced more nutrient deposition in rhizomes of ginger crop due to poor translocation process through xylem.