Floral Infestation of Tuberose with Aphelenchoides and Its Management

In the field experiment conducted on cv. Calcutta Double, the symptoms of floral malady and efficacy of treatment modules on foliar nematode population, percent infestation and resulting yields of the crop has been observed. The symptoms appear on the leaves and progress until flowering. Typical symptoms observed were browning of leaves and flowers. In serious condition, the plant becomes stunted along with prickles on the stalks and flowers. The flowers become brittle. The results of the present study showed that the percent infestation was directly proportional to the nematode population. The percent infestation and the population were higher in untreated plot (M7) as compared to all treated plots. The treatment module (M4) involving overnight drenching of bulb in water followed by dipping in monocrotophos 36SL @750ppm for 4 hrs + Spraying of monocrotophos 36SL @360g a.i./ha alternated with cartap hydrochloride 50SP @375g a.i./ha at 15 days interval after onset of foliar nematode infestation in the 1st year and succeeding year crop was the most economical (ICBR 1: 8) and effective means of managing Aphelenchoides besseyi population. It also yielded higher number of marketable flower stalks viz. 4, 43,908.19 per hectare.