Exploring the bio-efficacy of biocontrol agents in mitigating Meloidogyne incognita menace in carrot cultivation.

The nematicidal efficacy of liquid formulation of Pochonia chlamydosporia, Bacillus subtilis, Purpureocillium lilacinum, Trichoderma viride and vermiculite formulation of Rhizophagus intraradices were challenged against Meloidogyne incognita under glasshouse conditions. The in vivo experiment were piloted to test the potential of these biological agents by soil drenching of liquid formulation @ 1 ml/pot or soil application of vermiculite formulation @ 1g/pot/dose. Their effect was compared with the granular application of Carbofuran @ 1g/pot/dose. All the liquid bioformulations investigated were capable of enhancing plant growth and lowering the pathogenicity and parasitic success of M. incognita in carrots. The soil drenching of P. chlamydosporia caused a significant reduction of galls in the root (51%), nematode population in the root (43.6%), egg mass in the root (65.3%) and infective juvenile population in soil (51.8%) over other treatments and Carbofuran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]