EFFICACY OF PENICILLIUM CHRYSOGENUM STRAIN SNEF1216 AGAINST ROOT-KNOT NEMATODES (MELOIDOGYNE INCOGNITA) IN CUCUMBER (CUCUMIS SATIVUS L.) UNDER GREENHOUSE CONDITIONS

Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) has become a serious risk for cucumber globally. Haphazard use of synthetic chemicals poses a serious threat to agricultural crops, eliminating predators and also polluting natural community. Thus these negative effects led towards development of eco-friendly approaches which are safe and effective for M. incognita management. The study has been planned to coat seeds with Snef1216 (Penicillium chrysogenum) and evaluate its ability to control M. incognita in cucumber. It reduced M. incognita invasion rate significantly in different inoculums 500J2 (second stage juveniles) 67.09% followed by 1000J2 and 2000J2 plant(-1) 60.44% and 36.02%, respectively. It inhibited development of nematodes 60.30%, 50.37% and 38.77% at 500, 1000 and 2000J2 plant(-1) inoculation levels respectively compared to control. Snef1216 reduced significant (P<0.05) reproduction rate at 500J2 (69.46%), 1000J2 (62.89%) and 2000J2 (63.62%) of M. incognita. It interfered in galls formation and nematodes g(-1) in root mass. Snef1216 enhanced seed germination (22.09%) with germination index (53.77%) and germination rate (64.49%). Additionally, seed dressing with Snef1216 exhibited additional biomass, reduced invasion of second-stage juveniles and also restrained development of nematode. Our results suggest that Snef1216 can be introduced as a biomass enhancer and potential bio-control agent against M. incognita in cucumber.