The effect of optimized dosage of bio-agents as soil application and as sucker treatment for the management of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita and spiral nematode, Helicotylenchus multicinctus in banana was studied under field condition. Application of Pseudomonas fluorescens 100g as soil application resulted in 68% reduction of root knot nematode and spiral nematode populations over control. The P. fluorescens soil treatment also recorded enhanced the plant height ( cm), number of leaves (), pseudostem girth ( cm) at 270 days after planting. Bunch weight was also higher ( kg/tree) in this treatment at harvest. Similarly, application of P. fluorescens at 20g/plant as sucker treatment resulted in 65% reduction of root knot nematode and spiral nematode population over control. Enhanced plant height, number of leaves, pseudostem girth and bunch weight was noticed in this treatment which resulted higher bunch weight ( kg/tree) at harvest. Further sequential application of P. fluorescens at 20g as sucker treatment + farm yard manure at ton/ha + press mud @ ton/ha + growing antagonistic crop Tagetus in and around banana and ploughing in situ resulted in 66% reduction of root knot nematode and spiral nematode population over control. The treatments have also enhanced the plant height ( cm), number of leaves ( /plant) and pseudostem girth ( cm) at 270 days of planting that caused higher bunch weight ( kg) at harvest. | Evaluation of biocontrol agents and organic amendments for the management of root knot nematode and spiral nematode in banana
