Effects of plant straws and plant growth promoting bacteria on the reproduction of Meloidogyne incognita and growth of tomato

An experiment was conducted to study the influence of Pseudomonas fluorescens, Azotobacter chroococcum, and straws of Triticum aestivum, Oryza sativa, Zea mays, Sorghum vulgare and Pennisetum typhoides alone and in combination on the multiplication of Meloidogyne incognita and on the growth of tomato. P. fluorescens was better at improving tomato growth and reducing galling and nematode multiplication than was A. chroococcum. Among straws, P, typhoides was better than Z. mays followed by S. vulgare and T. aestivum in improving tomato growth and reducing galling and nematode multiplication. Straw of O. sativa was least effective in reducing galling and nematode multiplication. Use of P. fluorescens with the straw of P. typhoides was the best combination for the management of M. incognita on tomato. However, improved management of M. incognita can also be obtained if straw of Z. mays is used with P. fluorescens, or A. chroococcum is used with the straw of P. typhoides.