Effect of the trap cropSolanum sisymbriifoliumand two biocontrol fungi on reproduction of the potato cyst nematode,Globodera pallida

Abstract

The potato cyst nematode, Globodera pallida, is one of the most important pests of potato worldwide. Owing to regulatory considerations and potential environmental impact, control options for this nematode are becoming increasingly limited. Solanum sisymbriifolium and biological control agents offer viable alternative options for controlling G. pallida. Therefore, experiments were conducted to determine the effect of the nematode trap crop S. sisymbriifolium, alone or in combination with the biocontrol agents Trichoderma harzianum or Plectosphaerella cucumerina, on population decline of G. pallida. Experiments were conducted for three different 'cropping systems': potato (Solanum tuberosum), S. sisymbriifolium, or soil only (fallow), each followed by a potato crop. Soil was amended with P. cucumerina, T. harzianum or left unamended, and then infested with nematodes at a rate of five eggs g −1 of soil. After 16 weeks in the greenhouse, plants were removed and the soil containing cysts was refrigerated at 4 ∘ C for 8 weeks, and then planted to potato. Cysts of G. pallida were counted after an additional 16-week period. The P f /P i of G. pallida was significantly reduced by 99% in potato following S. sisymbriifolium compared to both the potato-following-fallow and the potato-following-potato treatments. Amendment of soil with T. harzianum significantly reduced P f /P i of G. pallida by 42-47% in the potato-following-potato but not in either the potato-after-fallow nor in the potato-after-S. sisymbriifolium cycles which supports evidence that the plant species may play a role in the biocontrol activity of this fungus. Addition of the fungus P. cucumerina resulted in a 64% decrease in P f /P i in the potato-following-fallow in one experiment, and an 88% decrease in P f /P i in potato-following-potato but the decrease in P f /P i was not consistent over all experiments. However, both biocontrol fungi resulted in lower numbers of progeny cysts after an initial 16-week incubation with potato. To look at the effect of varied population density of the nematode on efficacy of S. sisymbriifolium to reduce G. pallida populations, potato, S. sisymbriifolium, or barley were planted into soil infested with G. pallida at rates of 5, 20 or 40 eggs g −1 soil applied as cysts (20, 80 or 160 cysts pot −1 ). After 16 weeks, numbers of cysts produced in each treatment were determined for each infestation rate. No new cysts were recovered from either S. sisymbriifolium or barley treatments, confirming that neither plant is a host for G. pallida. High numbers of cysts were recovered with potato. Soil from each treatment (containing original cysts and newly-formed cysts when present) were then planted with potato. After an additional 16 weeks, few cysts were found in the potato-after-S. sisymbriifolium Trap crop and biocontrol agent effects on Globodera pallida treatments regardless of initial infestation rate. When potato followed barley, numbers of cysts were similar to those found after a single cycle of potato, indicating that the ba...

Impacts of Root Metabolites on Soil Nematodes

“…To our knowledge, the potential for applying hatching stimulants for cyst nematode control or eradication remains to be investigated. However, inclusion of hatching-stimulating non-host plants in crop rotation schemes or even termination of host crops before cyst nematode reproduction is a way to reduce the density of persistent cysts in infected soil (Scholte, 2000;Dandurand and Knudsen, 2016). Field trials, where Solanum sisymbriifolium (sticky nightshade) induce hatching of Globodera, which are unable to fulfill their life cycle on S. sisymbriifolium, demonstrate that hatching induction in the absence of susceptible hosts efficiently reduce the density of resting, viable cysts in the soil (Scholte and Vos, 2000).…”

“…A variety of plant metabolites in roots and exuded from roots to the rhizosphere influence nematode behaviour, development, reproduction and even survival (Timper et al, 2006;Dandurand and Knudsen, 2016;Wang et al, 2018). Some metabolites thus facilitate plant parasitic nematode infection and damage, whereas others directly or indirectly reduce damage.…”

Assessment of an organ-specific de novo transcriptome of the nematode trap-crop, Solanum sisymbriifolium

“…Solanum sisymbriifolium (SSI), otherwise known as “litchi tomato”, “ morelle de Balbis ”, or “sticky nightshade”, is an undomesticated relative of potato and tomato. For more than a decade, SSI has been investigated as a trap-crop (a plant that attracts nematodes but kills them before they can reproduce) for nematodes such as Globodera pallida that normally parasitize potatoes and tomatoes (Timmermans, 2005; Dandurand and Knudsen, 2016). It is also a potential source of anti-protozoan (Meyre-Silva et al ., 2013) and anti-molluscan (Bagalwa et al ., 2010) metabolites.…”

Effect of the trap crop, Solanum sisymbriifolium, on Globodera pallida, Globodera tabacum, and Globodera ellingtonae

“…A non-potato trap crop for G. pallida and G. rostochiensis that has received attention is Solanum sisymbriifolium (Lam.) (Timmermans et al, 2007;Dias et al, 2012;Dandurand and Knudsen, 2016). Solanum sisymbriifolium is native to South America.…”