Integrated Management of Root- Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne Incognita Infecting Cowpea Plants

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of saponin extract, algae, Chlorella vulgaris , and a bio-nematicide BioNematon (commercial formulation of the Paecilomyces lilacinus, half dose) and the possibility of creating an integrated control program on root-knot nematodes infected cowpea under field conditions compared to chemical nematicide, Carbofuran, as well as the effect of these treatments on the vegetative characteristics of cowpea plants. All treatments caused reduction percentages in root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita juveniles, to take into the triple treatment (saponin extract + algae + BioNematon half dose) which gave the highest reduction percentage (82.6%), followed by the chemical nematicide Carbofuran (80.3%), then the BioNematon half dose, algae and saponin extract solely by achievement (67.3, 66.3 and 58.4%), respectively, compared with control. Tribble treatment (saponin extract + algae + BioNematon) caused significant decrease in mature females, egg masses and root galls (82.9, 85.8, 80%) and it was (81.1, 82.8 and 80.0%) for Carbofuran treatment , respectively. As well as, triple treatment also improved the vegetative properties of cowpea plants, caused an increase in plant height, shoot weight and root weight by percentages (75.3, 78.8 and 96.3%) while contrariwise occurred by appliance of Carbofuran (46.9, 38.7 and 83.7%), respectively, compared to the control. This study succinct recommended that, the use of triple treatment (saponin extract + algae + BioNematon half dose) as an integrated control program for M. incognita which infected cowpea plants practically considerable by its safety, inexpensive, harmlessness, in addition it also reduced root-knot nematode, M. incognita juveniles, mature females, root galls, and improved the vegetative properties of cowpea plants in greater proportions than the chemical nematicide Carbofuran.