Effects of Arugula Vermicompost on the Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) and the Promotion of Resistance Genes in Tomato Plants

Abstract

Root-knot nematodes are the most important plantparasitic nematodes worldwide. Many efforts have been made to find non-chemical, risk-free, and environmentally friendly methods for nematode control. In this study, the effects of compost and vermicompost of arugula (Eruca sativa) on Meloidogyne javanica were investigated in three glasshouse experiments. In addition, the expression of the defense-related genes nonexpressor of pathogenesis-related 1 (NPR1) and lipoxygenase 1 (LOX1) was detected in tomato plants treated with vermicompost of arugula at 0, 2, 7, and 14 days after nematode inoculation. The result showed that the vermicompost of arugula significantly reduced the reproduction factor of the nematode by 54.4% to 70.5% in the three experiments and increased the dry weight of shoots of infected tomato plants. Gene expression analysis showed that LOX1 expression increased on the second and seventh day after nematode inoculation, while NPR1 expression decreased. The vermicompost of arugula showed stronger nematode inhibitory potential than the vermicompost of animal manure. The vermicompost of arugula is superior to arugula compost in suppressing the activity of M. javaniva and reducing its impact. It manipulates the expression of resistance genes and could induce systemic resistance against rootknot nematodes.

Effective combination of arugula vermicompost, chitin and inhibitory bacteria for suppression of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica and explanation of their beneficial properties based on microbial analysis

“…The results of the present study in the first glasshouse experiment showed that all organic materials used in this study increased the dry weight of shoots of infected and healthy tomato plants, except for the sulfur treatment. Similar to our previous studies, the plant dry weight index compared to the fresh weight index better defined the difference between treatments and their effects [ 30 , 39 ]. Only the arugula vermicompost caused a significant reduction in the reproduction factor of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica .…”

“…Earthworms improve the properties of organic material to produce compost, and vermicompost is superior to compost in producing plant biomass [ 57 ]. Thus, vermicomposting of arugula increases the content of N, P, Fe and Mg, and lowers pH [ 39 ]. Due to the nematicidal nature of arugula plants, vermicompost production increased the utility and quality of vermicompost and arugula plants as soil amendments.…”

“…index compared to the fresh weight index better defined the difference between treatments and their effects [30,39]. Only the arugula vermicompost caused a significant reduction in the reproduction factor of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica.…”

From soil to plant: strengthening carrot defenses against Meloidogyne incognita with vermicompost and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi biofertilizers

“…Arugula Vc also decreases the reproduction factor of the nematode by 54.4 to 70.5% in infected tomato plants. It affects the expression of resistance genes and induces systemic resistance against root-knot nematodes ( Rostami et al, 2022 ). Moreover, soil application of AMF fungi also reduced plants’ root galling and nematode population ( Siddiqui and Akhtar, 2007 ).…”