Eco-safe management of maize cyst nematode, Heterodera zeae infecting maize (Zea mays L.)

Recently in India and abroad, more attentions are being paid towards the development of eco-safe management strategy. Keeping this in view, a bio-management trial was planned in present investigation. In this experiment, bio-agents i.e. Paecilomyces lilacinus, Trichoderma harzianum and Pseudomonas fluorescens were used at 0.5, 1 and 2% w/w as seed treatment against maize cyst nematode, Heterodera zeae infecting maize cv- PEHM-2. A chemical check (Carbosulfan 2% w/w) and untreated checks were also maintained for comparison of experimental results. Results showed that maximum increased in plant growth of maize and reduced the nematodes population was obtained when seeds were treated with Paecilomyces lilacinus at 2 per cent followed by Trichoderma harzianum at 2 per cent and Pseudomonas fluorescens at 2 per cent as compared to untreated check.