Comparison between Biological and Chemical Management of Sugar Beet Nematode, Heterodera schachtii

This mvestigation was designed to compare biological management through nematophagous fungus Lecanicdhum muscartum with chemical nematicides, Vydate, Basamid (G) and fertilizer, Calcium cyanamide through soil application to control sugar beet cyst nematodes Heterodera schachtn. Lecamcdinim muscarium decreased nematode population significantly (P=0 05 and caused reductions in final numbers of cysts per 250 g of soil, eggs and juveniles per cyst Nematicides effects were not quite significant among each other but had tremendous effects m reducing nematode population compared to that of untreated control A significant (P=0.05) reduction in numbers of eggs per cyst warrants that nematicides were able to penetrate into cysts. Reproduction rate (Pf/ Pi) of L. muscarium treated plants was documented minimum as compared to that of control but slightly higher compared to that of treated with nematicides More interestingly, plant growth parameters including shoot and root were tremendously improved in L. muscarium treated plants than that of other treatments