Suppression of Meloidogyne javanica Infection in Peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) Using Fungal Biocontrol Agents

Abstract

In South Asian countries, the lucrative production of peaches has been seriously threatened by an assortment of biotic stresses especially nematodes. This situation compromises the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs) related to food security and zero hunger. Recently under changing climate, root-knot nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne have emerged as the most damaging phytopathogenic nematodes, while the efficacy of chemical control has remained limited. Therefore, a study was executed to assess the efficacy of four biocontrol agents including Pochonia chlamydosporia, Purpureocillum lilacinum, Trichoderma harzianum, and T. viride (at concentrations of 2.5 × 103, 5 × 103, 7.5 × 103, and 1 × 104) along with nematicide Rugby and a control treatment against Meloidogyne javanica on peach. The response variables included nematode infestations in terms of number of galls, egg masses, and reproductive factors. P. lilacinus and T. harzianum (1 × 104 concentration) reduced the number of galls by 18% and 16%, respectively, than the control. All biocontrol agents exhibited their effectiveness by significantly reducing number of egg masses, eggs per egg mass, and reproductive factors, while these remained statistically at par to each other. The study proved that application of these biocontrol agents holds potential for controlling root-knot nematodes and might be developed as a potent strategy to replace or at least reduce the use of traditional chemicals for avoiding environmental pollution and contamination.

Potential Role of the Yeast Papiliotrema terrestris Strain PT22AV in the Management of the Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita

“…This product has been extendedly documented to have nematicidal activity against various PPNs, also including a suppressive efficacy against RKN infestation ranging from 49 to 62% and from 55 to 97% on field tomatoes and cucumbers, respectively [39][40][41]. P. lilacinum is a multitrophic fungal species known as a biofertilizer and a biocontrol agent against pathogenic fungi and PPNs, and is also documented to provide up to about a 60% reduction in gall formation on tomato roots and even a 80% reduction in RKN population density in the soil [42][43][44]. Formulations of B. firmus strain I-1582 were also proven to reduce RKN egg hatching and J2 viability in in vitro conditions and to suppress their populations in soil, either by producing toxic metabolites or by inducing plant systemic resistance [45][46][47].…”

Evaluating the Efficacy of Chemicals and Antibiotics in Combating Bacterial Leaf Blight of Tomato

“…Various management strategies, such as the use of chemicals, biocontrol agents, antibiotics, and resistant cultivars, have been employed by scientists to manage bacterial leaf spot of tomatoes (Horvath et al, 2012;Aslam et al, 2017aAslam et al, ,b, 2019Aslam and Mukhtar, 2023a,b;Saeed et al, 2023;Shahbaz et al, 2023;Yaseen et al, 2023). Among all these strategies, resistant varieties are the most reliable way to manage this disease.…”

Revolutionizing nematode management to achieve global food security goals - An overview

“…Traditionally, nematophagous fungi have been categorized into four main groups based on their attacking mechanisms against nematodes [ 96 ]. Compared to bacteria and viruses, nematophagous fungi are particularly advantageous for the biological control of plant-parasitic nematodes [ 97 , 98 ]. Several significant fungal genera, such as Arthrobotrys , Duddingtonia flagrans , Monacrosporium , and Dactylaria , have been identified as effective against plant-parasitic nematodes [ 99 ].…”