Assessing the predatory activity of Arthrobotrys oligosporus strain C-2197 as biocontrol of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne spp.

Abstract

The root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne spp., is an endoparasite that infects plants' root system and causes yield losses in several important crops. Meloidogyne is one of the most devastating pests, so searching for effective biological agents is needed to mitigate its damage. In this study, the predatory activity of Arthrobotrys oligosporus Fresen strain C-2197, obtained from a tropical dry forest of Ecuador, was evaluated as a biocontrol alternative for root-knot caused by Meloidogyne spp. Our results showed that A. oligosporus C-2197 has predatory activity against juvenile nematodes, 72.31%, and 79% efficacy, for in vitro and greenhouse conditions. Besides, the studied strain showed growth-promoting activity, increasing leaf and root area of inoculated plants. Growth promoting activity was also observed in field tests. The present study validates the potential use of A. oligosporus as a biocontrol of Meloidogyne spp. in tomato production systems under greenhouse. It also presents useful information on the use of different cultivation media and substrates for massive A. oligosporus spore concentrates.

Nematophagous Fungi: A Review of Their Phosphorus Solubilization Potential

“…Fungi that capture nematodes have a double function: controlling the populations of infective nematodes and also acting as biofertilizers when applied in soil, being able to solubilizing and mobilize some important nutrients [ 56 , 57 ]. The adhesive networks building fungus Duddingtonia flagrans have been shown to solubilize P both in laboratory [ 56 ] and in greenhouse conditions [ 2 ].…”

Recent Advances in Life History Transition with Nematode-Trapping Fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora and Its Application in Sustainable Agriculture

“…Hence, the densities of NTFs in rhizospheres were slightly greater than those in root-free soil [ 106 ], and the response of root cells to NTF colonization may have significant implications for the performance of these organisms as plant-parasitic nematode biocontrol agents [ 112 ]. The presence of A. oligospora not only decreases the number of root-knot nematodes by the preying process but also promotes plant growth [ 19 ], such as A. oligospora C-2197 that exhibits root development and leaf area growth-promoting activities, as well as growth-promoting activity, on tomato plants [ 14 ]. These findings offer vivid examples of diverse predator–prey interactions in nature, playing a critical role in maintaining population composition and dynamics of both counterparts.…”

“…Both nematodes and NTFs have a wide range of species diversity in the soil ecosystem, and the majority of them exhibit sympatric distribution and close relationships with each other [ 12 ]. This peculiar feature of killing living nematodes by their natural life strategy makes NTFs the ideal alternative for the chemical control of parasitic nematodes [ 14 , 15 ], especially in the rhizosphere of plants, and, hence, their interactions exert a significant effect on agriculture and forestry [ 16 , 17 ].…”

“…Its efficient trapping ability has rendered A. oligospora an ideal candidate for the control of plant- and animal-parasitic nematodes. For instance, the ability of A. oligospora C-2197 to manage nematode populations provides a feasible concept for the management of tomato production in a greenhouse environment [ 14 ]. Moreover, A. oligospora (MRDS 300) is a promising biocontrol agent for Meloidogyne incognita [ 19 ].…”

Mecanismos de captura, colonización y alimentación empleados por parásitos y predadores de nematodos

“…Algunos hongos de crecimiento lento pueden formar sus estructuras de captura sin estimulación externa (Cooke 1968). Otros de crecimiento acelerado como Arthrobostrys oligosporus es capaz de formar redes adhesivas cuando detecta a sus presas (Quevedo et al 2021), recibiendo e interpretando los ascarósidos producidos por los nematodos (Chen et al 2021), incluso siendo capaz de producir varios compuestos volátiles que son atractivos para los nematodos (Hsueh et al 2017). El hongo Drechslerella sp.…”