Factors influencing the effectiveness of non-pathogenic <em>Fusarium solani</em> strain Fs5 in the suppression of root-knot nematode in tomato
Four experiments were carried out under greenhouse conditions to evaluate the effectiveness of Fusarium solani strain Fs5 against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica. The effect of population densities of M. javanica, various application rates of F. solani, moisture regimes and levels of ben...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Firenze University Press
2003-04-01
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| Series: | Phytopathologia Mediterranea |
| Online Access: | https://oajournals.fupress.net/index.php/pm/article/view/4992 |
| Summary: | Four experiments were carried out under greenhouse conditions to evaluate the effectiveness of Fusarium
solani strain Fs5 against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica. The effect of population densities of M.
javanica, various application rates of F. solani, moisture regimes and levels of benzaldehyde, a volatile compound of
plant origin affecting the plant-nematode-fungus interaction, were also studied. F. solani parasitized eggs and females
of M. javanica and thereby reduced root-knot severity in tomato. Although the fungus was frequently isolated
from root tissues, it did not produce phytotoxic symptoms; instead, there was enhanced plant growth. At higher
nematode densities, inner root colonization by the fungus increased. The rates of fungal infection on M. javanica eggs
and females also increased with increasing nematode densities and fungal inoculum levels. Nematode invasion and
subsequent root-knot increased with increasing soil moisture, in both F. solani-treated and untreated plants. However,
root-knot development was lower at all moisture regimes when F. solani was applied to the soil. Root colonization
by F. solani and parasitism on female nematodes was highest at 50% moisture holding capacity (MHC) whereas
egg parasitism by the fungus was greatest at 75% MHC. With increasing concentration of benzaldehyde in soil,
nematode penetration and subsequent root-knot infection were progressively reduced. Root colonization by F. solani
was greatest in soil treated with benzaldehyde at 2 µg g-1 of soil in the presence of M. javanica. Increasing benzaldehyde
concentrations resulted in increased parasitism of M. javanica females by F. solani but in lower parasitism of the eggs.
Treatments with F. solani led to better plant growth when they were combined with benzaldehyde at 2 µg g-1 of soil. |
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| ISSN: | 0031-9465 1593-2095 |