Effect of different initial population densities of Meloidogyne incognita on the root-knot development, nematode multiplication, plant growth and seed yield of Plantago ovata

The effect of initial population densities of Meloidogyne incognita on the root-knot development, nematode multiplication, plant growth and seed yield of Plantago ovata was determined under pot conditions. M. incognita significantly reduced all growth parameters viz., rootshoot length, fresh and dry root-shoot weights, number of spikes/plant and seed weight/plant at all initial population densities as compared to uninoculated control. The highest reduction in shoot-root height, shoot-root fresh and dry weights, number of spikes/plant and seed weight/plant was 67.8, 72.0, 83.9, 85.9, 86.0, 88.2, 88.2 and 88.7%, respectively at the highest population density (12,500 J2/kg soil) as compared to uninoculated control.