Interaction of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Ciceri and F. solani on chickpea1

Abstract

The effect of the combined inocula of Meloidogyne incognita, Fusarium oxysporum and F. solani on growth of chickpea var. JG 62 was additive in nature. However, when nematode was established earlier than the two fungi, the resultant effect was more than simple additive. All the three organisms affected the rhizobial nodulation considerably. Occurrence of M. incognita in combination with F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceri and F. soloni, not only increased the severity of disease but also shortend the incubation period for disease expression. Further, when nematode preceded the fungi, plant drying due to infection by F. Solani appoared early. Rootrot index was also high when the nematode preceded F. solani. The nematode development and multiplication was adversely affected by F. solani irrespective of the time and level of inoculum. F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceri did not affect the nematode population significantly.