MANAGEMENT OF MELOIDOGYNE-INCOGNITA IN TOMATO NURSERIES BY INTEGRATION OF GLOMUS-DESERTICOLA WITH VERTICILLIUM-CHLAMYDOSPORIUM

Integration of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus desertic ola with a bio-control agent Verticillium chlamydosporium for the mana gement of root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita on the nursery seed lings of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) has resulted in an significa nt increase in the parasitization of eggs by the bio-agent. Combinatio n of these two eco-friendly components of management has increased the plant growth parameters of tomato. These studies revealed the strateg y of protection of nursery seedlings of tomato from the attack of M, i ncognita by rational integration oi; endomycorrhiza with a bio-agent.