EFFECT OF SINGLE AND MIXTURE OF ANTAGONISTIC FUNGI ON THE CONTROL OF ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE,MELOEDOGYNE INCOGNITA

Three antagonisitc fungi reduced the percentage of egg hatching and larvae activity compared to control treatment under laboratory con­ditions . The antagonistic fungi were Paecilomyces lilacinus, Trichoderma harzianum and Epicoccum sp. Significant reduction was observed in the viability of larvae of root - knot nematode when two different antagon­sitic fungi were conbined as compared to treatments whith single bio­control agents. These three different fungi were used under green-house and field conditions. Although there was a clear and significant differ­ence in the effect of different antagonistic fungi under green-house conditions there was no differrence between Paecilomyces and Epicoc­cum under field conditions. Significant reduction in disease incidence or root-knot. index were observed where the rate of application of antago­misits was increased from one gram / pot to two grams / pot . On the other hand, no significant difference was observed between two grams / pot and three grams / pot for Paecilomyces and Trichoderma. Paecilo­myces Illacinmus proved to be a good biocontrol agane in reducing the disease incidence or suppressing root - knot index. It also retarded egg hatching and reduced the viability of larvae, if it was used alone or with other antagonistic fungi in green - house and field conditions as com­pared to the control .