Effect of Trichoderma viride and Carbofuran (Curator^®) on Management of Root Knot Nematodes and Growth Parameters of Gotukola (Centella asiatica L.)

Gotukola (Centella asiatica L) is a widely grown popular leafy vegetable in Sri Lanka. Root Knot Nematodes (RKN) (Meloidogyne spp.) infestation is one of the key problems which causes heavy losses in commercial Gotukola cultivations in warm climates. A field experiment was carried out in Chilaw (AEZ IL1a) during the wet season (Maha) 2010/2011 to evaluate the effectiveness of the bio-control agent, Trichoderma viride and chemical; Carbofuran (Curator®) on RKN and growth of Gotukola. The treatments imposed were T. viride (CFU 10¹¹/ml) incorporated manures (compost and poultry manure at the rate of 2 kg/m²) and recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers, Curator® (1.5g/m²) incorporated manures and recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer. Trichoderma, Curator® (1.5 g/m²) untreated manures, inorganic fertilizers and no amendment (control). The results revealed that Curator® incorporated manures had no significant (p>0.05) difference on the promotion of growth parameters. The combined application of T. viride + compost had significant (p<0.05) impact on plant growth which attributed to increased number of roots, leaf length, stalk length and root length. Highest fresh weight of leaves of first harvest was recorded in the treatment of Trichoderma + compost treated plots. Treatments of Trichoderma + compost had significant (p<0.05) reduction in RKN gall formation in Gotukola. The results indicate that, the T. viride incorporated compost can be recommended as an alternative to Curator® to control RKN and to promote growth of Gotukola.

Tropical Agricultural Research Vol. 23 (1): 61-69 (2011)