EFFECT OF INTEGRATION OF ENDOMYCORRHIZA (GLOMUS-MOSSAE) AND NEEM CAKEON THE CONTROL OF ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE ON TOMATO

Efforts have been made to study the effect of integration of neem (Aza dirachta indica) cake and vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza (Glomus moss ae) on the control of root-knot nematode-Meloidogyne incognita, on tom ato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Results indicated that mycorrhizal seed lings of tomato, when transplanted in neem cake-amended soil, were lea st infected by M. incognita. Significant increase in plant growth para meters, significant decrease in root-knot index and final population o f M. incognita were observed in the treatments where mycorrhizal seedl ings were transplanted in neem cake-amended soil. In addition, signifi cant increases in colonization of G. mossae on roots of tomato and in chlamydospore densities of G. mossae in these treatments indicate favo urable effects of neem cake amendment on the growth of G. mossae, Thes e studies for the first time reveal that desirable rhizospheric change s by addition of neem cake amendments in the soil help in effective ut ilization of G. mossae for the control of M. incognita on tomato.