Paper Details

Abstract

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is a nutritionally valuable and economically significant vegetable crop cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions. Pakistan is the world's 5th largest producer of okra. Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) pose a significant threat to okra and require sustainable management options beyond chemical nematicides. This study assessed the potential of nematophagous fungi, endophytic bacteria, and poultry manure biochar for control of M. incognita under greenhouse conditions in a pot experiment. Poultry manure biochar was characterized for its physicochemical properties, surface morphology, and functional groups using standard analyses, including SEM and FTIR. A completely randomized design with 25 treatments and three replications to test the efficacy of biological control agents and 2% (w/w) poultry manure biochar. After 120 days, plant growth, physiological, and nematode reproduction characteristics were assessed. The results showed that integrated treatments were significantly better than the treatments with only one agent. The five-component combination of M. anisopliae, B. bassiana, B. cereus, P. aeruginosa, and poultry manure biochar showed the maximum suppression of nematodes, with a reproduction factor of 0.1933 compared to 0.5433 in the positive control. It also produced the highest values of plant growth parameters, including plant height, fruit yield, and antioxidant enzyme activity. Overall, nematophagous fungi combined with endophytic bacteria and biochar proved more effective at improving plant performance and reducing M. incognita population and reproduction than their individual use. The study demonstrates that an integrated microbial and biochar-based approach is a potential solution for eco-friendly and sustainable root-knot nematode management in okra. Keywords: Meloidogyne incognita, Nematophagous fungi, Endophytic bacteria, Biochar, Integrated pest management

To Cite This Article