Biological Control of Root Knot Nematodes in Chillies through Pseudomonas fluorescens’s Antagonistic Mechanism

Among many pests and diseases, nematodes are one of the most important pests. Managing nematode chemically is very expensive. The damage caused by this pest results in considerable economical loss for the agriculture community. The important factor for increased pest management expenses, and decreased return on investment is due to inefficiency of chemical nematicides to provide a prolonged pest resistance. Chilli (Capsicum annum) is an important crop in India and is cultivated throughout India. Nematodes are an important pest for chillies. Primary nematode species infesting chili plants are the Root knot nematode Meloidogyne Incognita. In this study, susceptible variety PKM-1 developed by Tamil Nadu Agriculture University was used. Nematode control through biopesticides Pseudomonas fluorescence was assessed. Pseudomonas fluorescences’s antagonistic activity was studied to understand the efficiency and duration of its antagonistic activity. Pseudomonas fluorescens’s nematode resistance was compared with chemical and untreated plants. In summary, the study concludes that Pseudomonas fluorescens comparatively was more effective in sustained control of nematodes than chemical treatments.