INTERACTION STUDIES BETWEEN CEREAL CYST-NEMATODE AND VESICULAR-ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL (VAM) FUNGI ON BARLEY IN JAIPUR, DISTRICT, RAJASTHAN

Cereal-cyst nematode (Heterodera avenae) is one of the most serious pathogen of wheat and barley crops in the state of Rajasthan, limiting agricultural productivity. In the present interaction study the potential of VAM species viz. Glomus fasciculatum and Glomus aggregatum singly and in combination was evaluated against H. avenae infestation on barley roots. Analysis of covariance of yield and plant growth data indicated better growth and yield of barely when its roots were associated with VAM species. A significant reduction in H. avenae cyst population and egg content of the cysts to minimum level was evident in VAM associated plants. Host’s roots and VAM species interaction was found to be beneficial symbiotic association which resulted in improved plant growth and yield of the host plant.