Compatibility of Predatory Nematode, Fictor composticola and Bacterial Parasite, Pasteuria penetrans for the Management of Root-Knot Nematode.

Compatibility of Fictor composticola and Pasteuria penetrans was evaluated through two experiments against Meloidogyne incognita. In vitro assay conducted in 5 cm diameter Petri plates containing 1% water agar. Two males and two females of F. composticola were released alongwith 200 P. penetrans encumbered or healthy J2 of M. incognita. Observations on prey consumed were taken after 24 and 48 h of release. P. penetrans-encumbered J2 were consumed more by the predator than healthy J2. In a pot assay, cucumber plants grown in one kg pots were inoculated with 2000 P. penetrans encumbered or healthy J2 of M. incognita and 400 individuals of F. composticola. After 45 days; numbers of galls, egg masses and final J2 population in soil were significantly less in the treatment with F. composticola + P. penetrans-encumbered J2 than F. composticola with healthy J2. The root galls and the number of Pasteuria-infected females were more in the absence of predatory nematode.