Utilization of bioinoculants and oil-seed cakes for the sustainable management of root-knot nematode, meloidogyne incognita on tomato

Abstract

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) is one of the most important consumed vegetable crops grown worldwide. In recent years its production has increased because of adoption of high yielding varieties using conventional and non-conventional methods. The root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) are most widespread tiny organisms which limit worlds agricultural productivity.They attack almost all the cultivated plants but vegetable crops are their most preferred hosts. Chemicals that are being used for controlling plant-parasitic nematodes are costly and hazardous in nature. Researchers all over the world are engaged in standardizing the nematodes management strategies by following non-chemical and eco-friendly approaches such as cropping systems, soil amendments. Tomato being deep feeder and exhaustive crop require large quantities of inorganic and organic fertilizers for their growth. Excessive or indiscriminate use of nitrogenous fertilizers is not only polluting environment but also making the soil deficient of P, K and other micronutrients. Meeting the plant nutrients demand through chemical fertilizers only raises cost of cultivation and makes the system unsustainable. Use of biofertilizers is helpful to sustain the production system for long term.The beneficial use of bio-inoculants such as AM fungi, nitrogen fixing micro-organism like Azotobacter as a supplementary source of plant nutrition on agriculture crops. These non-conventional sources of fertilizers are not only cost effective but simultaneously boost up the productivity of soil and crops. Organic matter plays pivotal role that affect the crop growth and yield either directly by supplying nutrients or indirectly by modifying soil physical properties that can improve the root environment and stimulate plant growth. Plant-parasitic nematodes are effectively controlled by the application of soil organic amendments.