Effective and Promising Strategy in Management of Tomato Root-Knot Nematodes by Trichoderma harzianum and Arbuscular Mycorrhizae

Abstract

The ecosystem is considerably affected due to the extensive use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. As an alternative strategy, this study aimed to assess the biocontrol potential of the bioagents arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth-promoting Trichoderma harzianum MZ025966 against tomato root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne javanica). T. harzianum showed a great potentiality to produce indole acetic acid (IAA) (12.11 ± 2.12 μg/mL) and exhibited a noticeable activity of ammonification. Furthermore, T. harzianum revealed protease and lipase enzymatic activity of 28.36 ± 2.82 U/mL and 12.30 ± 0.31 U/mL, respectively, which may illustrate the control mechanism of nematode eggs and juveniles. As in mycorrhizal and/or T. harzianum inoculated tomato plants, the penetration rates of nematodes, as well as the number of juveniles, females, egg mass, and galls were significantly reduced. The lowest number of juveniles was observed in the case of either single mycorrhizal inoculation (45%) or in combination with T. harzianum (55%). The enzymatic activity of glutathione peroxidase and catalase was enhanced in tomato plants inoculated with the bioagents to overcome the negative impact of nematode parasitism. Our results proved that the application of biocontrol agents not only reduced the nematode population and penetration rate but also improved the plant growth, increased the nutritional elemental content and stimulated the plant’s systematic resistance.

Foliar application of glycine‐functionalized nanopesticides for effective prevention and control of root‐knot nematodes via a targeted delivery strategy

“…1 The invasion of RKNs makes plants more susceptible to fungal and bacterial infections, resulting in root galls, branches wilting, growth retardation, water uptake interruption, and nutritional deficiency, along with a significant decline in yield. 2 It is reported that the maximum yield losses of cucumber and watermelon caused by RKNs reach to 88% and 35% respectively. 3,4 At present, compared with biological control agents, the applications of chemical insecticides to resist against RKNs are still the prevailing prevention and control strategy.…”

Genetic Diversity of Trichoderma and Hypocrea lixii Iraqi Strains by Using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) Technique

“…Trichoderma also boosts growth and maintenance of resistance, stimulating primary meristematic tissues in young plant parts through interaction with growth-regulating hormones and iron-chelating compounds [10]. As a result, Trichoderma strains can be used to protect and stimulate plants in sustainable agriculture [9], [11].…”

Aspergillus niger produces lethal compounds against nematodes

“…11 Over the past half century, a growing number of natural products have been found to be produced by filamentous fungi. [12][13][14][15] In the latest report, >400 new compounds were derived from marine fungi in 2014 alone. 16 However, new compounds as biocontrol agents still require a number of necessary studies on the stability of the compounds themselves, their mechanism of action against nematodes, the appropriate forms of biocontrol agents, their stability during application, and their resistance to environmental impact factors.…”

“…Over the past half century, a growing number of natural products have been found to be produced by filamentous fungi 12–15 . In the latest report, >400 new compounds were derived from marine fungi in 2014 alone 16 .…”