Study on approaches to integrated control of Meloidogyne graminicola in rice

Abstract

This study presents the results obtained from the studies carried out to find out the response of Meloidogyne graminicola to different rice varieties and to different soil amendments when applied with and without NPK fertilizer in young rice plants. The use of soil amendments such as poultry manure and cow dung significantly reduced the nematode population, the total percentage of yellow leaves and dead leaves and significantly increased the plant growth.  Two varieties namely, Bg 300 and Bg 352 were found to be immune for M. graminicola not allowing the nematodes to penetrate the roots. The varieties Bg 350, Bg 356, Bg 357 and Bg 360 were categorized as resistant. These varieties allowed the nematodes to penetrate the roots, but the development and the reproduction of the nematodes were not permitted. The varieties Bg 11, Bg 351, and Bg 358 were found to be susceptible for the nematode, M. graminicola of which Bg 351 is highly susceptible host with high rate of reproduction while Bg 358 and Bg 11 are less susceptible with low rate of reproduction of the nematode. This study also revealed that the young plants of susceptible varieties were unable to compensate the nematode damage under unfertilized conditions. Keywords: root-knot nematode; Meloidogyne graminicola; Oryza sativa; management DOI: 10.4038/josuk.v3i0.2736J. Sci. Univ. Kelaniya 3 (2007) : 29-46