Effect of simultaneous and sequential inoculations of Meloidogyne incognita, Ralstonia solanacearum and Phomopsis vexans on eggplant in sand mix and fly ash mix soil

Effects simultaneous and sequential inoculations of Meloidogyne incognita, Ralstonia solanacearum and Phomopsis vexans were studied on the growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents of eggplants grown in 25% fly ash and 25% sand mix soil. Plants grown in 25% fly ash mix soil had lesser plant growth than grown in 25% sand ash mix soil. Inoculation of M. incognita / R. solanacearum or P. vexans caused reduction in plant growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in both types of soils but these pathogens in combination caused a greater reduction in than individual inoculation. Inoculation of M. incognita 20 days prior to R. solanacearum caused a greater reduction in plant growth than inoculation of M. incognita prior to P. vexans. Inoculation of P. vexans prior to R. solanacearum caused a lesser reduction in plant growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents than inoculation of P. vexans prior to M. incognita. Inoculation of R. solanacearum 20 days prior to M. incognita caused a greater reduction in plant growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents than inoculation of R. solanacearum prior to P. vexans. Galling and multiplication of M. incognita was higher in plants grown in 25% sand amended soil than with 25% fly ash soil. R. solanacearum and P. vexans had adverse effects on galling and nematode multiplication. Wilt and blight indices caused by R. solanacearum and P. vexans were 3 respectively. Wilt and blight indices were 4 when two pathogens were inoculated together.