Nrc Banana

Field Evaluation of Su-Mona, 1% W. P. formulation of Pseudomonas fluorescens, against lesion nematode Pratylenchus spp. in banana Malvika Chaudhary, S. K. Ghosh, Usha Nandini and M. S. Prabhakar Pest Control (India) Pvt. Ltd., Division: Bio-Control Research Laboratories 36/2, Sriramanahalli, Near Rajankunte, Arakere Post, Dodballapur Road. Bangalore. KARNATAKA, INDIA. E-mail: [email protected] The lesion nematode Pratylenchus spp. is a serious pest that feeds on root and corm tissues of banana, causing crop losses ranging from 30-40% in fertile soils and up to 75% in poor soils. A field trial was carried out in a lesion nematode infested banana (Variety: Robusta) plantation at Linganahally, near Dodballapur, Karnataka to evaluate the efficacy of Su-Mona, a wettable powder formulation of the bacterial antagonist Pseudomonas fluorescens. The efficacy of the biopesticides was compared alone and in combination with neem cake, neem cake alone, Carbofuran and untreated control. P. fluorescens was applied in the form of enriched FYM in the soil @ 2 kg/ plant once every 3 months over a period of one year. The lowest population of the nematode (Ij/100gms of roots) was recorded in the treatment where combined application of Su-Mona and neem cake were made (74.00), followed by Su-Mona alone (95.00), Carbofuran (113.33), neem cake alone (132.00) and control (502.66). The reduction in pest population obtained by combined application of P. fluorescens and neem cake was 85.00% over the untreated control. The yield was also recorded to be highest in the combined treatment with an average bunch weight of 32.41kg as against 28.50 kg in control and 161.00 fruits per bunch against 105.33 in control, respectively.