Root knot nematode : Meloidogyne incognita Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita which causes 11-35 % yield loss in Tomato. It can be spread through seedlings, planting materials, irrigation water and farm implements.

• Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita which causes 11-35 % yield loss in Tomato. It can be spread through seedlings, planting materials, irrigation water and farm implements.

Symptoms

Above ground symptoms

• Stunted growth of the plants
• Disease appearance in patches under field conditions.
• Leaves show dwarfing, chlorosis, yellowing and retardation of growth.
• Plants show “Day wilting” symptoms. .

Below ground symptoms

• Primary galls are small which coalesce to form larger secondary galls.
• Root system is reduced, severely galled and completely disorganized vascular system.
• Sometimes the galled tissues are invaded by secondary pathogens and causes root decay.

Management

• Nursery beds raised in nematode free soil and use nematode free planting materials.
• Soil solarization in nursery beds with white or transparent sheet LLDPE 25 gauge thickness during summer month.
• Nursery application of AM fungus @ 100g/m2
• Removal and distraction of nematode affected roots of the previous crop.
• Deep summer ploughing of field.
• Application of neem cake @ 250 kg/ha.
• Crop rotation with non-host crops like mustard, sesame, maize, wheat and millets.
• Soil application of talc based formulation of Purpureocillium lilacinum @ 2.5 kg/ ha along with 250kg of FYM.