Screening And Efficacy Of Potent Nematode Trapping Fungi NTF Against Root Knot Nematode Of Tomato

Abstract

newlineTomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important popular vegetable crop grown in the world. Being a relatively short duration crop with high yield and returns, its cultivation area is expanding regularly. Currently tomato has a higher consumption rate in developed countries and referred to as a luxury crop. Tomato is one of the most important quotprotective foodsquot because of its special nutritive value. It is one of the most versatile vegetable with wide usage in Indian culinary tradition. Prevention of pests and diseases in tomato are extremely important. Tomato plants are susceptible to several fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes. Major tomato diseases include those that attack the root system (fusarium wilt, verticiliun wilt, bacterial wilt, rhizoctonia), above-ground stems and foliage (early blight, leaf spot, bacterial canker, late blight), and fruit (bacterial spot, bacterial speck, anthracnose). A virus infection often leads to dwarfed growth and decreased production. The root knot nematode causes galls on plant roots of tomatoes. Damage caused by diseases often results in poor yield losses.