Nematodes

[ketavvyas]

We are growing vegetables under Polyhouse at Gujarat. We are tired fighting Root Knot nematodes. We tried crop rotation, chemicals like carbofuran, bio products like paecilomyces but now we are having them back on cucumber roots. The plants are one month old and the harvesting is about to start in few days. Can someone here advise the regular treatments to keep them under control as we are suspecting heavy loss during second harvest. Can post reply on the forum else my contact id

 

[laxmi sarathy]

fighting root knot nematode

Root knot nematode is a very common and destructive pest in the sub continent due to the hot weathers and short winters.Please try these methods to control the infection.
1. inter cropping with local marigold and NOT the hybrid varieties as the hybrid varieties are themselves susceptible. Plant the seedlings 7'' apart and de weed regularly. after 2 months plow them under

2.prepare a decoction of the leaves of calotropis ( aak) , neem, marigold and betel . treat the seeds before sowing and the roots of the seedlings before transplanting. the powder of the dried leaves can also be deposited around the seedlings after sowing. this treatment decreases the infestation by around 80% and improves the yield by 75%. the germination of seeds is also improved and the seedlings are healthy.

3.sterilize the soil and fumigate the greenhouse before planting . always use clean implements. i.e disinfect the farming implements using a solution of 1 part bleaching powder to 9 parts water.

4. solarize the soil. cover the raised and moist beds with clear plastic for 2 months during the hottest periods of the year.this increased soil temperature helps to kill many soil borne pests including nematodes. this increased temperature will cause the eggs of the nematodes to hatch. which then search for roots and die of starvation.