Investigation of some non-chemical approaches to control the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) on pepper under greenhouse conditions

In this study, the effects of poultry manure, vermicompost, enriched mycorrhizal powder, vermicompost liquid, effective microorganism’s liquid and Rugby nematicide 10% G on reducing the damage of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita and on improving plant growth of cayenne pepper has been investigated. The nematode was collected from infected pepper roots in Astana Ashrafieh fields. After isolation, the nematode was reared on tomato (cv. Early Urbana) and identified. The experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design with four replicates on the susceptible cayenne pepper cultivar (Dimaz) in two turns at 25 ± 3°C under greenhouse conditions. Plants were inoculated at the six-leaf stage with a population of 4000 eggs and second-stage juveniles (J2s). After two months, nematode indices including number of galls, egg sacs, eggs per root, J2s in soil and reproduction factor, and plant growth indices (fresh and dry weight of roots, root length and volume, fresh and dry weight of shoots, shoot length, number of flowers and number of fruits) were recorded. The results showed that all treatments significantly reduced the number of galls and nematode population compared to the control. The best treatment for nematode control was poultry manure and the most effective treatment for increasing plant growth indices was mycorrhiza. The positive effect of nature-friendly strategies in controlling the root-knot nematode could be a promising substitute for destructive chemical nematicides and a sustainable strategy for managing plant-parasitic nematodes.