INFLUENCE OF PLANT AGE ON ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE DEVELOPMENT IN CARDAMOM
Authors
S. J. Eapen
Abstract
Two, 12 and 24 months old seedlings and mature vegetative suckers of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) plants when inoculated with 500 second stage juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita showed varying responses. The highest multiplication rate, gall and egg mass indices were observed in 24 months old seedlings while the per gram root population was highest in 12 months old seedlings. The galls on the root system of mature plants were comparatively small and supported fewer nematodes. In general, young cardamom seedlings were more susceptible to root knot nematodes than mature plants.
