Bio-Efficacy of Bacillus Species in the Management of Root-Knot Nematode Pest of Pepper

Background and Objective: The Bacillus species are proven biological control agents, present in nature, though can be cultured. In this study the Bacillus species were evaluated on the field for the management of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, a pest of pepper. Materials and Methods: The field experiment was a 2×7 factorial, fitted into randomized complete block design. There were two pepper varieties, seven treatments replicated four times and inoculated with 5,000 juveniles of M. incognita at two weeks after transplanting. Data were collected on nematodes and on the growth and yield of pepper. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and means were compared using Fisher’s Least Significant Difference at 5% probability level. Results: The tallest pepper (53.00 cm) was from pepper treated with mixture of B. cereus and B. thuringiensis while the shortest (16.33 cm) was from the control plot. The highest fruit yield (9.0 g) was produced by pepper treated with B. thuringiensis while the control had the lowest (1.67 g). Nematode populations were significantly reduced in Bacillus treated soil (146.17 in 250 mL soil) compared to control (947.38 in 250 mL soil). Conclusion: This study concluded that the application of Bacillus species reduced soil nematode population significantly and increased fruit yield of pepper.