Paecilomyces Lilacinus

One of the major problems in plantation and horticultural crops including vegetables are nematodes. Scientific study reports about 20,000 identified soil nematodes.

Nematodes feed damage the plant roots and reduce the water and nutrient uptake which results in reduction in yield. In addition, the infested plant becomes more vulnerable to other stress factors such as heat, water shortage, nutritional deficiencies and disease causing organisms. It is difficult to control these nematodes with common chemical pesticides.

Addressing this crisis, Varsha Bioscience and Technology India Pvt. Ltd. in collaboration with Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (ICAR), Bangalore has come up with a unique formulation called Mysis. It is a talc based formulation of nematophagous fungus, Paecilomyces lilacinus, that is capable of parasitizing nematode eggs, juveniles and females, and thus reduces the plant parasitic nematode population in the soil.

All crops including Banana, Capsicum, Tomato, Brinjal, Onion, Chilli, Crossandra, Okra, Tuberose, Acid lime and Papaya.

A thorough bio-efficacy study revealed the effective control of the following nematode species:

• Meloidogyne spp. (Root knot nematodes)
• Radopholus similis (Burrowing nematode)
• Heterodera spp. and Globodera spp. (Cyst nematodes)
• Pratylenchus spp. (Root lesion nematodes)
• Rotylenchulus reniformis (Reniform Nematode)
• Nacobbus spp. (False Root knot Nematodes)

However, there is a scope for the control of several other nematode population of agriculture importance, if Mysis is applied and studied on scientific basis.

Mysis could be used through drip irrigation. Mix 2 kg of Mysis in 30 litre water and feed. Through the feeder continue the drip with water for 30 minutes before doing the drip irrigation.

Treat the seeds with Mysis @ 10g/Kg of seed & treat the nursery beds @ 50g/sq.m. Alternatively apply omega enriched FYM* @ 2 tons/ acre to the soil before transplanting and at an interval of 3 months after planting for a period of one year.

Enrichment of Farm Yard manure (FYM): Add one Kg. of omega 1 ton of farm yard manure or compost to enrich it with the bio-pesticide. Farm yard manure added with this bio-pesticide should be left under shade for a period of 15 days, maintaining optimum moisture, and in between it should be mixed thoroughly at an interval of 5 days for proper enrichment of FYM.