EFFICACY OF RHIZOSPHERIC ORGANISM Rhizobium leguminosarum AGAINST Meloidogyne incognita IN SOYBEAN

Present investigation was carried out to assess the biocontrol potential of Rhizobium leguminosarum against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita on soybean. Effect of Rhizobium strains LSI-21 and CRI-29 was assessed individually and concomitantly on reproduction of M. incognita. In vitro studies were conducted to check the effect of Rhizobium strains on egg hatching and juvenile mortality of M. incognita. Concomitant application of Rhizobium strains was more effective in reducing egg hatching and causing juvenile mortality as compared to individual treatment. In green house, Rhizobium strains were used as soil drench and seed dressing for the management of root knot nematode on soybean. It caused considerable reduction in reproduction of root knot nematode as well as improved plant growth parameters of soybean. Seed dressing showed most significant results than soil drenching. It is interesting to note that Rhizobia not only controlled reproduction of M. incognita but also an increase in plant height, fresh and dry root shoot weight was observed. It would seem that Rhizobium being a good rhizosphere organism for field and vegetable crops presumably prevent the contact of pathogenic organisms on roots.