EFFECT OF PAECILOMYCES LILACINUS APPLIXATION TIME AND METHOD IN CONTROLLING MELOIDOGYNE JAVANICA ON OKRA

Abstract

In a pot experiment, Paecilomyces lilacinus cultured on wheat bran (WBF) was applied either as soil treatment 10 days before/after sowing 1g/kg soil (5 x 10[sup8] spores); as seed treatment (3 x 10[sup7] spores per seed); or in different combinations, to sandy soil infested with Meloidogyne javanica. Fungus application, in general, resulted in better top growth. The methods (soil/seed treatment) or time (pre/post - sowing) of fungus application were equally effective. Wheat bran alone (WB) also promoted shoot length and fresh shoot weight to a lesser extent. Root galling was significantly reduced in all fungus treatments. Application of WB alone failed to reduce root galling. The time and method of fungus application were at par as far as gall reduction was concerned. WBF proved better than carbofuran (1kg a.i/ha) in gall suppression.