Response of soybean and tomato plants under dual inoculation with Glomus sp. and root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita

Abstract

The arbuscular mycorrhiza fungus Glomus can increase plant’s water and nutrient uptake and provide protection against plant parasitic nematodes. This study aimed to determine the response of soybean and tomato plants under inoculation with Glomus sp. and root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita at different application times in pot experiments. On soybean, Glomus sp. alone or in combination with M. incognita significantly increased plant height, while simultaneous inoculation of both microorganisms significantly increased the root dry weight. The total leaf P content of soybean however, significantly decreased in response to all inoculation methods. On tomato plants, Glomus alone significantly increased tomato shoot dry weight, total plant dry weight, and the total leaf P content. The final nematode population, the number of nematodes penetrating the root, and the root gall scores were not significantly impacted by either Glomus or M. incognita inoculation The inconsistent effect of Glomus inoculation on plant growth and total leaf P content as well as the inability of Glomus to reduce M. incognita infestation may be contributed by the extent of root colonization by Glomus and variability in the species of Glomus.