Burrowing Nematode (Radopholus similis)

Symptoms

• Initial symptom - Small dark spot on the root.
• Fungi rapidly invade such damaged root tissue.
• Reduction in leaf size,bunch size, production of fruits.
• Affected plants do not respond to fertilizers, irrigation or cultural practices.

Management

• Plant nematode-free corms in fallow soil.
• Avoid ratoon cultivation in nematode prone areas.
• Apply neem cake (1 kg/plant) at the time of planting to reduce the pest population.
• Sucker treatment with Bacillus macerans/ Paecilomyces lilacinus (5 gram/sucker, 10 gram/pit at 45 dats after planting).