Suppression of root‐knot nematode<i>Meloidogyne incognita</i>on tomato plants using the nematode trapping fungus<i>Arthrobotrys oligospora</i>Fresenius

Abstract

AIM: The aims of the study were to isolate and characterize the nematode trapping fungus, Arthrobotrys oligospora, to investigate the suppressive and predacious activities of the fungus against Meloidogyne incognita and to study the potentiality of A. oligospora in controlling root-knot caused by M. incognita on tomato plants. METHODS AND RESULTS: ). Microscopic observations showed that the fungus develops adhesive traps consisting of loops of hyphae. Moreover, an in vitro experiment showed that the culture filtrate of A. oligospora had a high toxic effect on the nematode. Pot experiments carried out in two seasons (2018-2019) showed that A. oligospora significantly suppressed root knot on tomato plants caused by M. incognita. The number of females, galls and nematodes in different developing stages were reduced significantly. The treatment with A. oligospora had a prominent effect on enhancing plant growth. CONCLUSION: Arthrobotrys oligospora had significant suppressive and predacious effects against root-knot nematode, M. incognita. The fungus developed different forms of trapping devices in addition to secreting toxic metabolites to M. incognita. The fungus had a plant-growth promoting effect. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Arthrobotrys oligospora (MRDS 300) is a potential biological control agent that can be utilized in controlling the root-knot diseases caused by M. incognita.