Effect of Compost on Root-knot Nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) and Rhizobium Nodulation of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

Abstract

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is an ancient crop widely known as Lobia, Vegetable crop, Black-eyed peas. Cowpea is used as pulse, fodder, vegetable, and green manure crop. It is known to suffer from many diseases and pests. Nematodes cause a severe damage to cowpea production leading to economic losses. Among the nematodes, root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) cause severe damage to the cowpea crop. Farmyard manure, spent mushroom compost, leaf waste of marigold, neem, lantana, rose, berseem and drumstick were tested under field conditions during Rabi 2020-2021 for their efficacy against the root knot nematodes and growth parameters. Field experiment was carried out in randomized block design (RBD) with six treatments and four replications. Among the botanicals amendment, the treatment T6- farmyard manure @ 8t/ha + spent mushroom compost @ 8t/ha + drumstick leaf waste @ 8t/ha significantly increased the plant height at 60 DAS (85.91 cm), shoot weight (111.37gm), root length (17.31 cm), root weight (3.37 gm), rhizobium nodules (26) and significantly decreased the number of root knots in the root system of cowpea at 60 DAS (41). Root weight reduced due to less number of root knots in the roots of cowpea as compared to other botanicals amendment and control T0.