Reducing root galling caused by root knot nematodes in black pepper (<em>Piper nigrum</em> L. cv. ‘Kuching’) through nutrient supplementation

Purpose: Root-knot nematodes (RKN) remain one of the leading causes economic damage in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) cultivation worldwide. An experiment was conducted to evaluate response plants RKN when irrigated with three nutrient solutions; Hoagland solution only, + 0.005 mM potassium silicate solution, and 2 salicylic acid solution. Research Method: Plants grown medium-sized polybags were inoculated routinely appropriate solutions. Presence foliar symptoms infection on plants, their aerial growth plus root infestation assessed. Superoxide anion hydrogen peroxide production from plant leaves also detected after inoculation. Findings: Foliar started manifesting 81 days without or supplementation displayed most severe disorder symptoms, highest galling shortest growth. had showed least oxidative stress challenged RKN. Originality: From present results, soil amendment is a promising tool for reducing promoting RKN-infested fields.