Pathogenicity of root-knot nematode,Meloidogyne incognita on Lens culinaris (Medik.)

Effects of the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) on lentil (Lens culinaris) were studied under greenhouse conditions. The plants were inoculated with 250, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 J₂ per plant. Plant growth, yield, nodulation, seed weight, chlorophyll, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, (NPK) contents, as compared to control, were found decreased in all the nematode infected plants. The extent of reduction increased with an increase in inoculum levels. The reductions were significant at 500 J₂ and at higher inoculum levels, i.e. 1000, 2000 and 4000 J₂ per pot over the control. An increase in inoculum level caused enhancement in galling, egg mass production and nematode population. At higher inoculum levels, the population of the nematode in the root as well as in the soil increased to a greater magnitude than at lower inoculum levels. On the contrary, reproduction factor (RF) and rate of population increase (RPI) decreased with increasing inoculum levels.