Diseases of fruit plantation medicinal and aromatic crops (2+1)

Root knot nematode

Causal organism: Meloidogyne incognita
Symptoms

Gradual yellowing of plant; stunting, root discoloration, formation of knots on the roots, root decay and finally plant collapse, are the major symptoms.
 
Mode of survival and spread

Survives in infected soil & plants and spread through irrigation water.

Epidemiology

Soil moisture, neutral pH, sandy loam soil, susceptible host are the parameters of congenial atmosphere.

Management

• Use healthy certified plants.
• Use disease free area for new plantations.
• Pull out the infected plants &burn.
• Avoid excess N application in the soil and increase K application which induces resistance in the plants.
• Apply Carbofuren @ 10-15g with 5-10 Kg of FYM around the root zone.
• Apply neem cake @ 5Kg/plant. Flooding of plot creates anaerobic condition.VAM can also be applied.