CONSORTIUM OF RHIZOBACTERIA AND TRICHODERMA VIRIDE TO MITIGATE ROOT KNOT NEMATODE WILT COINFECTION IN GHERKINM. KAMALNATH, M. S. RAO AND R. UMAMAHESWARIAbstract Gherkin (Cucumis anguria L., Cucurbitaceae) is called as the pickling cucumber as the fruits are used for preparing pickles for a delicacy savored by people in America, Australia and Europe. It is a profitable commercial crop in southern states of India. Sustainable production of gherkin is extremely hindered by Meloidogyne incognita and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis nematode induced disease complex. Field trials were conducted to evaluate the biocontrol of this disease complex using rhizobacteria Pseudomonas putida IIHR PP-17 and nematophagous fungi Trichoderma viride IIHR TV-2 enriched with deoiled neem cake. Five liters of consortia formulations of P. putida IIHR PP-17 and T. viride IIHR TV-2 were used to enrich the 1 tons of de-oiled neem cake. This organic substrate was enhanced for 15 days at 25% humidity levels and used for the soil application. It was applied initially at 0.5 tons ha-1 at time of planting and 0.25 tons ha-1 at monthly intervals for 3 months. The results revealed 56-63% decrease of M. incognita population in roots and 58-64% decrease in the disease infestation on gherkin in the plots which were treated with de-oiled neem cake enhanced with consortia formulation. These treatments also increased crop yield by 26%.
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