ORGANIC MANAGEMENT OF ROOT KNOT NEMATODES IN TOMATO WITH SPENT MUSHROOM COMPOST

This study was carried out to assess the effect of spent compost of button and oyster mushrooms on the management of root knot nematodes and to measure total phenolic compounds in the spent composts. Higher levels of phenolic compounds were found in spent of oyster than button mushroom. Total phenolic compounds contained in button mushroom spent compost (BMSC) and oyster mushroom spent compost (OMSC) were 8.75μg/mg and 10.75μg/mg, respectively. Different concentrations of the spent mushroom compost were applied to the M. incognita eggs. OMSC was found more effective in reducing the egg hatching and killing juveniles of root-knot nematodes than button compost. In pot studies at greenhouse, the stimulatory and inhibitory effects of the two composts were also studied. Oyster spent compost was found more effective in inhibiting the galling and production of egg masses in the roots followed by button compost thereby stimulating the plant growth as compared to button compost.