Integrated management of Meloidogyne incognita in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) through botanical and intercropping

Abstract

Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, is the major limiting factor in tomato production in many regions of the world, including Ethiopia. Hence, there is a need for development of root-knot nematode management methods that are cheap and environmentally friendly. A greenhouse experiment was conducted with an objective to evaluate the integrated effect of botanicals and intercropping against M. incognita on tomato. The experiment was laid out in a 2×3×3 factorial completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. About 30 ml of lantana leaf extract (at 5% v/v concentration) was applied one week before transplanting of convert to days tomato cv Moneymaker seedlings into 20 cm diameter size pot containing 2 kg sterilized soil. Seeds of mustard and garlic were sown directly into the plastic pots on either side of the tomato seedlings. M. incognita was inoculated at the rate of 1000 and 2000 second-stage juveniles (J2) per pot one week after transplanting. A control without any nematode treatment was also maintained. The results revealed that combination of lantana leaf extract and tomato-mustard intercropping at both nematode inoculum levels proved to be the most effective treatment that reduced the soil and root population of the nematode. Application of lantana leaf extract alone and in combination at both inoculation levels showed superiority on tomato growth characteristics. Hence, this ecofriendly approach could be incorporated into integrated nematode management in tomato. However, further research is needed to evaluate their efficacies under field conditions. Key words: Egg-mass, gall, garlic, juvenile, Lantana camara, mustard, management.