Evaluation of Bio-control Agents for the Management of Reniform Nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis Linford and Oliveira, 1960) on Cowpea

To evaluate the efficacy of different bio-control agents against reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis on cowpea (var. local) investigations were carried out under net house conditions. Results illustrated that all the treatments were effective in improving the plant growth parameters and reducing the nematode population. Among all the treatments, Biozin-PTB (10% w/w) proved to be best in promoting shoot length, fresh and dry weight of shoot of the plant with the percentages of increase 64.15%, 85.25% and 65.12% respectively. Followed by treatment with Biofor-PF2 (10% w/w) and Biozium (10% w/w) in stimulating shoot length with the percentages of increase 55.90% and 47.38%, fresh weight of shoot with the percentages of increase 68.05% and 55.95% and dry weight of shoot with the percentages of increase 61.12% and 50.00% respectively. Similarly, Biozin-PTB (10% w/w) followed by Biofor-PF2 (10% w/w) and Biozium (10%w/w) proved to be efficient in reducing the nematode population, number of females and egg masses as well as reproduction rate. The number of healthy Rhizobium nodules was increased by all the treatments and the highest nodule development was found in treatment with Biozin-PTB (10% w/w). It was observed that the combination product of bioagent performed better than the single bioagent.