Agricultural Science Digest

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Agricultural Science Digest, volume 44 issue 1 (february 2024) : 152-155

Efficacy of Bio-agents in the Management of Root Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne graminicola) in Basmati Rice

Abhishek Kumar1, Kamal Khilari1, Sachin Kumar Jain2,*
1Department of Plant Pathology, Sardar Valabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Modipuram, Meerut-250 110, Uttar Pradesh, India.
2Amar Singh (PG) College, Lakhaoti, Bulandshahr-203 001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Cite article:- Kumar Abhishek, Khilari Kamal, Jain Kumar Sachin (2024). Efficacy of Bio-agents in the Management of Root Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne graminicola) in Basmati Rice . Agricultural Science Digest. 44(1): 152-155. doi: 10.18805/ag.D-5326.
Background: Rice root knot nematode (M. graminicola) is considered as a major threat in basmati rice. The main characteristic symptoms produced by M. graminicola are terminal hook shaped or spiral galls on the roots and other symptoms of damage include patches of stunted and yellowish plants.

Methods: A field experiment was conducted in Kharif season of 2018 and 2019 at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (UP) to test the efficacy of bio-agents against the root knot nematode. In this experiment, three bio-agents (Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas florescence) and one chemical (carbofuran) were tested in randomized block design with three replications.

Result: It was observed that tested bio-agents and chemical significantly reduced the galls per plant in comparison to the control. At 30 and 60 day after transplanting, minimum (12.7 and 10.0 galls/plant) and (20.9 and 18.8 galls/plant) were recorded with Bacillus subtilis @ 20g/ M2 (2 x 108 cfu/g) during 2018 and 2019, respectively. In case of control, 52.7 and 62.5 galls/plant were recorded at 60 days after transplanting during both years. All the tested bio-agents were found effective in reducing the nematode population, increase the growth parameters and yield of basmati rice.
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) belongs to family Poaceae (Gramineae). Basmati rice production is affected by biotic and abiotic stresses.  In biotic stresses various pathogens i.e. nematodes, fungi, bacteria and viruses etc. affect basmati rice crop adversely. Among the diseases, root knot nematode is an important problem of rice. Nematode problem is increasing very fast in areas where farmers are continuously following rice-wheat cropping system. Basmati variety PB-1121, which is most popular among farmers is most susceptible for this disease (Khilari et al., 2011). Rice root-knot nematode (M. graminicola) having established endoparasitic pest of nurseries and main crop. The main characteristic symptoms produced by M. graminicola are terminal hook shaped or spiral galls on the roots and other symptoms of damage include patches of stunted and yellowish plants. Presence of root galls and reduced root system ultimately causes significant decline in plant growth and grain yield (Khan et al., 2012). The high population density of M. graminicola caused wilting of seedlings along with severe reduction in growth parameters while low population caused only reduction in growth parameters. Root-knot nematode alone is capable of causing up to 50% yield losses in rice in many production regions (Lorenzana et al.,  1998). In India, it is reported to cause 17-30% yield loss due to poorly filled kernels (Jain et al., 2007). The use of rice seedlings from non-treated nursery beds has resulted in yield loss of 38% in comparison to 29% when rice seedlings from treated nursery beds (Gaur, 2003). For management of rice root knot nematode, many practices such as chemical method, organic amendments, resistant varieties, soil solarization and biological control have been reported (Sakhuja and Jain, 2001). Use of chemicals is becoming more expensive and undesirable due to environmental and health hazards. Hence a promising alternative is the use of bio-control agents coupled with organic amendments which is eco-friendly and economically feasible. Therefore, in present studies, biocontrol agent’s viz., Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens were evaluated for the management of rice root knot nematode.
An experiment was conducted under field condition at “Crop Research Centre” of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut during kharif season of 2018 and 2019. The seeds were sown in nursery to raise the seedlings. After 24 days of sowing, the seedlings were transplanted in the field. The soil of plots was already sick and the initial nematode population was 415 per 200g of soil recorded before the planting the crop in the field. Three bio-agents (Bacillus pumilus@ 20 g/M2 (2 x 108 cfu/g), Bacillus subtilis @ 20 g/M2 (2 x 108 cfu/g), Pseudomonas florescence @ 20 g/M2 (2 x 108 cfu/g)) and one chemical (carbofuran@1 kg a.i./ha) were tested in randomized block design with three replications. All bio-agents and chemical were applied as soil application in plots before the puddling of the field.  In the puddled field, 24 days old nursery seedlings were transplanted. The uniform plant population was maintained in all the plots, with the spacing of 20 x 10 cm between row to row and plant to plant. Observations on number of galls/plant at 30 and 60 days after transplanting and initial nematode population (before treatment application) and after crop harvesting was recorded. 
Effect of bio-agents on number of galls/plant
 
Results (Table 1) revealed that all the treatments were effective in reducing the number of galls/plant over the check during both the years. At 30 days after transplanting, minimum (12.7 and 10.0 galls/plant) was recorded with Bacillus subtilis @20 g/M2 (2 x 108 cfu/g) followed by 13.7 and 10.7 galls/plant with carbofuran @1 kg a.i./ha. Average 15.0 and 12 galls/plant was recorded with soil application of P. florescence @ 20 g/ M2 (2 x 108 cfu/g), whereas 21.5 and 27.5 galls/plant were in case of Bacillus pumilus @20 g/ M2 (2 x 10cfu/g). In control, 35.1 and 52.7 galls /plant were recorded. In comparison of control, 63.6 and 73.6% reduction in galls per plant was recorded with Bacillus subtilis @20 g/M2 (2 x 108 cfu/g) followed by 60.7 and 71.7 % with carbofuran @1 kg a.i./ha. At 60 days after transplanting, 20.9 and 18.8 galls/plant were recorded with Bacillus subtilis @20 g/ M2 (2 x 108 cfu/g) followed by 22.6 and 24.2 galls/plant with carbofuran @1 kg a.i./ha. About, 52.7 and 62.5 galls/plant were recorded in control during both the years. In comparison of control, 60.2 and 69.8% reduction in galls formation was recorded with Bacillus subtilis @20 g/M2 (2 x 108 cfu/g). Previously, Muthulakshmi et al., (2010) reported that P. fluorescens and T. viride were applied in soil alone or in combination effective to check root knot nematode disease and to improve growth of mulberry with increased leaf yield. Saravanan et al., (2021) reported that application of single bioagent either P. fluorescens @ 10 gm/plant or T. viride @ 10 gm/plant along with neem cake were with  highest plant growth parameters and poor nematode infestation in banana.

Table 1: Effect of application bio-agents on root galls and nematode population in rice field.


 
Effect of bio-agents on growth and yield
 
Data (Table 2) revealed that all the treatments were effective in increasing plant growth. At 30 day after transplanting, maximum (63.1 and 61.1 cm) plant height was recorded with Bacillus subtilis @ 20 g/ M2 (2 x 108 cfu/g) followed by 62.7 and 59.7 cm with P. florescence @ 20 g/ M2 (2 x 108 cfu/g) during  both the years,  respectively. At 60 day after seedling transplanting, maximum (70.0, 75.2 cm) plant height was recorded with Bacillus subtilis @20 g/ M(2 x 108 cfu/g) followed by 69 and 73.56 cm with P. florescence @ 20 g/ M2 (2 x 108 cfu/g) and 68.50 and 72.00 cm with Bacillus pumilus @20 g/ M2 (2 x 108 cfu/g) during both the years, respectively. Minimum (66.7 and 71.2 cm) plant height was recorded in control at 60 day after transplanting in both years, respectively. All treatments were also found effective in enhancing the grain yield over the check. Maximum grain yield (14.0, 13.3 q/ha) was recorded with Bacillus subtilis @20 g/ M2 (2 x 108 cfu/g). Previously many researchers have reported similar results. Kumar (2018) reported that soil application (@2.5 kg/ha) of Pseudomonas fluorescens inhibit the nematode population and increase the plant biomass. Anitha and Rajendra (2005) reported that integration of P. fluorescens (2.5 kg/ha), neem cake (1 ton/ha) and carbofuran (1 kg a.i./ha) highly effective in improving plant growth and yield in the nursery as well as in main field. Das et al., (2017) found that application of carbofuran @ 0.3 gm/ M2 in the nursery bed and field application of fungal bio-agent Trichoderma viride @ 2.5 kg /ha after transplanting quite effective and economic for the nematode management with increased grain yield.

Table 2: Effect of bio-agents on pant growth parameters and grain yield


 
Effect of bio-agents on final nematode population
 
Data (Table 1) indicated that all the treatments were found effective in decreasing the nematode population in the field over the check. The initial nematode population 415 per 200 g of soil was recorded before the planting the crop in the field. After harvesting, minimum (620 and 686.6 J2 per 200 g of soil) was recorded with Bacillus subtilis @20 g/ M2 (2 x 108 cfu/g). Maximum (970 and 880 J2 per 200 g soil) were recorded in control during both the years, respectively. Narasimhamurthy et al., (2017) found similar results against rice root knot nematode when applied different bio agents and carbofuran 3G @ 0.3% a.i. alone or in combination. They recorded all the treatments significantly superior over check with respect to growth parameters and nematode population.
Based on the results, it may be concluded that the Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas florescence is a potential antagonist against root knot nematode of rice.  Application of Bacillus subtilis @20 g/ M2 (2 x 108 cfu/g) is effective in the management of rice root knot nematode in field condition. Using of bio-agents can improve economic condition of farmers and will provide protection to the environment. Reduction of pesticide residue problem ultimately will improve export situation of basmati rice and will provide protection to the environment.
The authors wish to thank to Project Coordinator AICRP nematode for providing fund under the voluntary centre, IIHR Bangalore for providing the bio-agents and HOD for conducting  research trial on nematode management.
All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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