Screening of some popular Indian varieties of tomato and brinjal against root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita

Vegetables are vital nutritional elements in a vegetarian diet. Tomato and brinjal have a special position in Indian diet due to their high nutritive value and low-costing. Root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) causes major loss to these two vegetable crops. Nine varieties of brinjal namely Small long white, BRSPS14, IVBL 9, IVBHL 54, NASSAPPE, Pant Rituraj, DBL-24, Uttara, Punjab Sadabahar and five varieties of tomato namely Punjab Chhuhara, IIVR Sel.1, NF31Sb8, VFN 8, NF 31 were screened for their susceptibility and resistance against Meloidogyne incognita. Observations were recorded as number of root knot per plant, shoot length, root length and their respective fresh weight and the reactions were recorded on a scale of 1-5. Results demonstrated that among 9 varieties of brinjal, three varieties Small long white, DBL-24, Punjab Sadabahar were found moderately resistant and remaining were found susceptible, whereas NF31Sb8 variety of tomato was found resistant and remaining four varieties were recorded moderately resistant.