author(s)
J Jayakumar

abstract
Field experiments were conducted at Sugarcane Research Station, during 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 to find out the field efficacy of ecofriendly management of lesion nematode, Pratylenchus zeae Graham in sugarcane. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with ten treatments replicated three times. The initial nematode population was assessed prior to planting by analyzing soil samples. Soil samples were collected on 90,180,270, and 360 days after planting of the cane. The soil samples were processed and analyzed for nematode population. The tiller count was taken up on 90 days after planting. Cane samples were collected on 10^th month and analyzed the juice for commercial cane sugar percentage. The pooled analysis of the two years, main and ratoon crop data revealed significant reduction in the population of lesion nematode, Pratylenchus zeae in sugarcane plants treated with the combined application of press-mud 25t/ha, FYM 12.5t/ha, poultry manure 1t/ha, sunhemp intercropping, neem cake 2t/ha, mulching with cane trash 5 t/ha and biocontrol agents of pseudomonas fluorescens + Trichoderma viridie. Significant reduction in nematode population was observed upto harvest of the crop. The above treatment also significantly enhanced the cane yield. The treatment viz., T₁ to T₇, Carbofuran @ 1kg a.i/ha and neem cake 2t/ha resulted 78.33, 77.15 and 75.45 percent reduction in lesion nematode population over control. The above treatments also enhanced the no. of millable cane/ha, cane yield, sugar yield, commercial cane sugar and benefit cost ratio. The cost benefit ratio worked out for the treatments viz T₁ to T_7, Carbofuran @ 1kg a.i/ha and neem cake 2t/ha resulted 1:2.76, 1:2.61 and 1:2.58 respectively.