Investigations were carried out in vitro to evaluate the antagonistic effect of bio-control agents (viz., Trichoderma asperellum, Trichoderma harzianum, Verticillium lecanii, Metarhizium anisopliae and Bacillus subtilis) on hatching and larval mortality of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica. Bio-against were tested at 5, 10 and 20 per cent concentrate on hatching and larval mortality of M. javanica after 24, 48 and 72 hrs exposure period as compared to control in laboratory). Experimental results showed that all the bio-agents significantly reduced the per cent hatched juveniles and increased the per cent mortality of juveniles Among the tested bio-agents T. harzianum was found most effective treatment with minimum per cent hatched juveniles and maximum per cent mortality of juveniles @ 20 per cent concentration after 72 hours followed by Bacillus subtilis and Metarhizium anisopliae.

Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne spp., Hatching, Mortality and Bio-agents

Based on the findings, it can be inferred that all the fungal and bacterial bioagents that were tested demonstrated the ability to manage root knot nematodes by reducing egg hatching and causing the death of second stage juveniles in laboratory conditions. Additional research is necessary to confirm their efficacy in both pot and field environments. Moreover, more investigations are needed to identify and characterize the compounds produced by these bioagents that are responsible for their nematicides properties.

Raju Dhayal, B.S. Chandrawat, Kavita Choudhary, Vishnu Gurjar, S.P. Bishnoi, Hemraj Gurjar and Hanuman Singh (2023). In vitro Evaluation of Bio-agents on Hatching and Mortality of Root-knot Nematode, Meloidogyne javanica. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(8): 357-360.