Trichoderma spp. For the management of root knot nematodes and rhizome rot disease in cardamom nurseries

Abstract

Trichoderma spp. Isolates from root and soil samples of cardamom plantations situated in Kerala and Karnataka were tested under in vitro conditions for their interaction with different life stages of Meloidogyne incognita. T.harzianum, T. virida and T.virens were found to inhibit nematode development, though no direct parasitization was observed. T. harzianum caused conditions. All the isolates promoted the growth of cardamom seedlings, whether or not the plants were infested with root knot nematodes. A mixture of Trichoderma isolates when applied in two ‘sick’ cardamom nurseries reduced the incidence of rhizome rot disease and root knot nematode population significantly.