Sustainable management of Meloidogyne incognita in kiwifruit using organic amendments: greenhouse and field evaluation

Root-knot nematodes are serious constraints to kiwifruit production worldwide. This study investigated the efficacy of organic soil amendments including Brassica biomass residues, broccoli intercropping, vermicompost, decomposed chicken manure, and liquid chicken-based fertiliser, under both greenhouse and field conditions. All treatments significantly reduced nematode populations compared with the untreated control. Following the chemical nematicide Fenamiphos (Nemacur®), decomposed chicken manure consistently achieved the greatest suppression of galling, egg masses, and second-stage juveniles (J2s) populations in both trials, whereas broccoli intercropping showed the least effectiveness. Organic amendments also improved plant growth, with vermicompost at 25 t/ha yielding the most favourable vegetative parameters. A strong correlation (R2 = 75.81%) was observed between nematode reproduction and galling, and shoot weight was more responsive than root weight under treatments. Overall, the results demonstrate that decomposed chicken manure is the most effective organic input for managing RKNs in kiwifruit, offering a promising eco-friendly strategy for sustainable orchard management.