PATHOGENICITY OF MELOIDOGYNE INCOGNITA AND RADOPHOLUS SIMILIS ON BLACK PEPPER (PIPER NIGRUM L.)

Abstract

Root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita and the burrowing nematode, Radopholus similis are highly pathogenic to black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) and affected the growth and vigour of the vines resulting in significant reduction in yield. The damage caused by R. similis to the pepper vines was more severe. Pepper vines inoculated with R.similis exhibited severe foliar yellowing, defoliation and die back typical symptoms associated with slow decline(slow wilt) of black pepper. The disease first appeared as mild foliar yellowing which later intensified with time leading to defoliation and die back. In general foliar yellowing and defoliation were low during July and high during April/May