Management of Root-knot Nematode

In field experiment, pronounced reduction in final nematode population density, root-knot index and a significant increase in leaf number, numbers of fruits, average fruit weight, yield per plant, total and marketable yields of tomato were observed from plants treated with 5% concentration of lantana and Mexican marigold leaf extracts compared to any other tested botanicals. These botanical extracts might have played an important role in reducing the nematode infestation and population buildup on tomato, observed in pot house and field conditions. Mexican tea, parthenium and pyrethrum were least effective of all botanicals tested. Thus, these results suggest that application of lantana and Mexican marigold leaf extracts would be a good alternative to manage root-knot nematode populations in tomato production.