Control of root‐knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp., on tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., with poultry manure

Abstract

Experiments to determine the effect of poultry manure application on the severity of root‐knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita Race 1) attack on tomato cv. Enterpriser, were carried out in the greenhouse, in the field and in vitro with four levels of poultry manure, viz., 0, 2, 4 and 8 t/ha. The three experiments showed that poultry manure has tremendous potential for the control of root‐knot nematodes. Both the growth and fruit yield of tomato increased significantly with levels of poultry manure at 4 t/ha and above. Nematode populations in the soil declined drastically at mid‐season but picked up towards harvest. Reduction in soil populations resulted in a decrease in severity of nematode attack (root gall index). In vitro studies with watersoluble fractions of the poultry manure indicated that nematode control is due to toxic substances released from the manure during decomposition.

Keywords:

• poultry manure
• Meloidogyne incognita
• effective control
• mechanism of action
• toxic substances