In vitro studies of antagonistic fungi against the root-knot nematode,Meloidogyne incognita

The present study was carried out in vitro to determine the efficacy of indigenous fungi isolated from egg masses of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita on egg parasitism, egg hatching, mobility and mortality against root-knot nematode, M. incognita. The tested fungi were Acremonium strictum, Aspergillus terreus, A. nidulans, A. niger, Chetomium aubense, Chladosporium oxysporum, Fusarium chlamydosporium, F. dimarum, F. oxysporum, F. solani, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Pochonia chlamydosporia, Trichoderma viride and T. harzianum. All tested fungi showed varied effects against the nematodes. Culture filtrates of A. strictum was very effective against the nematode in regards to egg parasitism (53%), egg hatching inhibition (86%) and mortality (68%) compared to controls. A. strictum was found to have an advantage over P. lilacinus, P. chlamydosporia, T. viride and T. harzianum in that it caused greater mortality of the second stage juveniles (J₂). A. terreus did not show egg parasitism but was found to be highly toxic against second stage juveniles (J₂) causing high mortality (around 68%). Thus, A. strictum and A. terreus showed good biocontrol potential against root-knot nematode, M. incognita under in vitro conditions.