Studies on Pathogenicity of Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita on Turmeric

Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) is one of the major problem, which causes galls/knots in the rhizomes and causes considerable yield loses. A pot study was conducted to assess the pathogenicity of Meloidogyne incognita on turmeric at different inoculum densities (0, 10, 100, 1000, 5000 and 10000 J2 per pot). The progressive reduction in growth and yield parameters with the increasing inoculum levels of M. incognita was observed. However, plant height of 44.33 cm was recorded in plants inoculated with 10000 J2 per pot as against maximum of 69.67 cm in plants inoculated with 10 J2 per plant. The least rhizome fresh weight (181.00 g) and dry weight (35.67 g) was recorded in plants inoculated with 10000 J2 per pot. The soil nematode was highest in plants inoculated with 5000 J2 per pot (3610) followed by 10000 J2 per pot (2660) and least in pots inoculated with 10 J2 per pot (95.33). The highest number of galls per plant was observed in plants inoculated with 10000 J2 per pot (107.33) followed by 5000 J2 per pot (101.33). Reduction in growth and yield parameters and increase in number of galls was observed with increase in inoculum levels of M. incognita.