Effif icacy of Luminescent Mushroom Spawn, Neonothopanus nambi Speg. on Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne incognita Chitwood) in Chilli

Abstract

Luminescent mushroom spawn, Neonothopanus nambi of isolate PW2 was used as a biological control for root-knot nematode in chili. Randomized complete block design (RCB) was applied with 6 treatments and 12 replicates. Luminescent mushroom spawn mixed with soil at 5, 10, 15 and 20 gram/plant were used before transplanting. Treatment inoculated with root-knot nematade and untreated were served as control. Percentage of root gall, plant height, and plant weight were evaluated at 60 days after treatment. The result showed that luminescent mushroom spawn at 10 gm/plant gave the lowest percentage of root galling (11.25%). Whereas treatment at 5, 15, and 20 gm/plant and control (inoculation with root-knot nematode only) had root galling of chili 15.06, 11.83, 23.25 and 72.25% respectively. The greatest height of chili plant when applied with 10 gm/plant of luminescent spawn was 71.55 cm. While the chili plant height of inoculation and non inoculation were 43.36 and 49.75 cm. respectively. Likewise, plant weight when applied with 10 gm/plant of luminescent spawn was 113.48 gm. The weight of chili plant applied with 5 15 and 20 gm/plant were 49.27 102.28 and 63.98 gm; respectively. Recommendation dosage appropriate for controlling M. incognita is 10 gm/plant due to effectiveness of the spawn.