Effect of Soil Amendments with Botanical Leaves on Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.)

Abstract

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is a earliest crop which is a member of the Phaseoleae tribe of the Leguminosae Family widely known as Lobia, which is a better alternative source for protein, minerals etc., as compared to other legumes. Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita) cause a major loss in cowpea production by hindering nutrient and water uptake. Leaf waste of marigold, rose, calotropis, euphorbia, neem and castor as botanical amendments were experimented under field conditions during kharif 2021 for their effectiveness against the root knot nematodes, rhizobium nodule and growth parameters. Field studies were conducted in randomized blocks with six treatments and three replications. Among the composts, the treatment Neem leaf compost remarkably increased the Plant height at 90 DAS (293 cm), root length at 90 DAS (29.16cm), rhizobium nodules (5), and significantly decreased the root weight at 90 DAS (3.5  gm)  and  root  knots  in  the  root  system  of  cowpea  at  90  DAS  (10.67).  The weight of the roots decreased because of a decrease in the number of root knot in cowpea compared to other composts and control T0.