Population density of Meloidogyne incognita and eggplant growth vigour affected by sucrose- activated bread yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)

Active dry bread yeast containing fungus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used as a bio-agent for controlling root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita on eggplant under screen house conditions. Three solutions of yeast and sucrose (as a bio-fermenter) at different yeast concentrations (1, 2 3% yeast) + a fixed concentration of 2% sucrose and three solutions of sucrose and yeast at different sucrose concentrations (2, 3 4% sucrose), a fixed concentration of 2% yeast were applied. The results indicated that there was a positive correlation (R= 0.097) between average percentage nematode reduction and the applied concentrations of yeast or sucrose. The highest concentrations of bread yeast and sucrose (3% yeast + 2% sucrose) and sucrose + bread yeast solution (4% sucrose + 2% yeast) achieved the highest average percentages nematode reduction of 86% and 87.4%, respectively. On the other hand, eggplant growth parameters were the best by using 2% yeast + 2% sucrose or 2% sucrose + 2% yeast as growth index was 15.4. However, the highest concentration of yeast + sucrose solution (3% yeast + 2% sucrose) or sucrose + bread yeast solution (4% sucrose + 2% yeast) caused less growth indices as compared to untreated check.