Vol. 13, Issue 1 (2024)

Odisha's tribal farmers mainly depend on the valuable cash crop turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) for their livelihood. In spite of the favorable agro climatic conditions, Odisha's turmeric productivity is very low due to different biotic and abiotic factors. Among different biotic factors, root knot nematode infection is very important as it not only decrease the yield but also reduce the curcumin content of the turmeric. As there is increasing demand for organic turmeric, a field experiment was carried out in the College of Agriculture, OUAT, Chiplima, Sambalpur to investigate bio-control potentials of Paecilomyces lilacinus and Pochonia chlamydosporia along with nematicide carbofuran 3G and a standard check for management of Meloidogyne incognita in turmeric (cv. Rajendra Sonia). Application of all the treatments significantly enhanced plant growth, rhizome yield and decreased root-knot index including population of nematodes in soil and root over check. Among all the treatments, Pochonia chlamydosporia @ 2.5 kg/ha was most effective with highest plant height, rhizome yield and lowest infectivity of turmeric to M. incognita.