Plant Pathology Science

The pinto bean with a considerable amount of protein plays a key role in human life. Plant parasitic nematodes are known to attack pinto bean plants worldwide. Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne species) causes extensive damage to legume fields annually. The use of chemical fertilizers leads to instability in agricultural systems and endangers human health. The use of organic fertilizers can be a suitable alternative. The present study examined the effects of different concentrations of pigeon and poultry manures on M. javanica-infected pinto bean under greenhouse conditions. Poultry and pigeon manures were individually mixed with steam-sterilized soil at three different concentrations [1, 2, and 3% (w/w)] and the soil was poured into the 1.5 kg plastic pot. Pinto bean seeds were sown in pots and the seedlings were watered until the end of the test and fertilized as needed. Seedlings at the four-leaf stage were inoculated with 4000 eggs of M. javanica. The plants were harvested after 60 days and plant growth indices and nematode population indices were determined. The experiment was conducted in completely randomized design tests with five repetitions. The results showed that application of 2% poultry manure was the best treatment that increased shoot length, fresh and dry shoot weight, and fresh root weight in nematode-infected plants. In addition, this amount of poultry manure resulted in a reduction in the number of galls, egg mass and eggs in the root system, the number of second stage juveniles in the soil and the reproductive factor compared to the untreated inoculated control. The results of this study showed that under greenhouse conditions, the effect of poultry manure in reducing nematode damage to pinto beans was greater than that of pigeon manure.