Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) is a most destructive pest of cucumber under protected cultivation and it causes great losses to vegetable production in poly-house. To reduce the use of pesticides in poly-houses and to promote the crop production, an eco-friendly management trail was conducted with different combinations of bio-agents. In view of disease severity and crop losses caused by this micro-organism, attempt were made to test various potential bio-agents i.e. Paecilomyces lilacinus (now known as Purpureocillium lilacinum), Trichoderma harzianum, Pochonia chlamydosporia, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Glomus fasiculatum (VAM) to evolve economical and eco-friendly methods for the management of Meloidogyne incognita infecting cucumber. The bio-agents were applied at 2.5 and 5.0 g/plant. Treated (Trichoderma viride 5.0 g/plant) and untreated checks were also maintained for comparison of results. The results of present investigation exhibited that all the bio-agents significantly reduced nematode reproduction and enhanced the plant growth of cucumber over untreated check. The highest reduction in root galls 60.63%, egg masses 55.46%, egg mass contents 27.54% and nematode population 66.29% were recorded with Trichoderma viride at 5.0g per plant over untreated check on cucumber in poly-house followed by Paecilomyces lilacinus and Trichoderma harzianum.

Biocontrol, Root-knot nematode, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma harzianum, Pochonia chlamydosporia, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Glomus fasciculatum.

The results of experimental findings revealed that bio-agents found very effective against Meloidogyne incognita and also improved plant growth and yield of cucumber in poly-house due to favourable environmental conditions. According to study bio-agents are key option in eco-friendly vegetable production of cucumber in poly-house.

S.S. Bhati, B.L. Baheti, Ishwar Singh and B.S. Chandrawat (2022). Impact of Bio-agents against Meloidogyne incognita infecting Cucumber in Poly-House. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(2): 1481-1487.