author(s)
Silpi Patel and Narpinderjeet Kaur Dhillon

abstract
For protecting human health and the environment nematicides are banned and highly restricted. Thus various alternative control strategies and long-term integrative approaches is urgently needed in order to replace chemical nematicides. Sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), is a vigorous, fast-growing legume that is used as a cover crop in many tropical and subtropical areas recommended by PAU. This experiment is conducted to explore its use against root-knot nematode along with its antagonistic nature to nematodes, when incorporated into the soil as a green manure, sunnhemp adds organic manure. The present study intends to explore the allelopathic properties of Crotalaria juncea and time period for better degradation for management of root knot nematode against brinjal. The studies revealed that maximum increase in galling index and decrease in growth parameters was observed when degradation period was given of 10 days or after. This indicates that sunnhemp requires 10 to 20 days for decomposition due to which the availability of nutrients and release of allelopathic products happens to occur after 10 days.