Evaluation of soil fungi for suppressing root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita of Chilli in microplot trials

Abstract

The evaluation of soil fungi, Pochonia chlamydosporia var. catenulata isolate EUB26-08, EYT35-09 and Lecanicillium tenuipes isolate SNM01-06 for controlling root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita on chilli (Hou Rue cultivar) was conducted in microplots. The efficiency was also compared with antagonistic fungus Paecilomyces lilacinus and chemical carbofuran. The RCBD experiment was employed. The efficiency of the fungi (shoot height, fresh shoot weight, number of fruit, fruit fresh weight, galling, juveniles in soil, eggs and adult females in root) was assessed after 60 days, and chilli yield was measured after 120 days. The results showed that the growth of chilli (height, fresh shoot weight) and yield (number and weight of fruit per plant) in plots inoculated and noninoculated with 3 isolates of fungi were not significantly different (P>0.05). The three isolates reduced the population of nematode in soil (number of juveniles in soil and eggs from root). In addition, their potential in reducing root galling were good as carbofuran and better than P. lilacinus.