Effects of antagonistic fungi and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria on growth of tomato and reproduction of the root-knot nematode,Meloidogyne incognita

Abstract

The effects of antagonistic fungi (Paecilomyces lilacinus, Pochonia chlamydosporia and Trichoderma harzianum) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), namely Bacillus subtilis, Paenibacillus polymyxa and Burkholderia cepacia, were studied alone and in combination in glasshouse experiments on the growth of tomato and on the reproduction of the nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Application of antagonistic fungi and PGPR caused a significant (P < 0.05) increase in tomato growth (based on shoot dry weight) both with and without nematodes. P. lilacinus was more effective in reducing galling and improving the growth of nematode-inoculated plants than T. harzianum, while P. polymyxa was more effective than B. subtilis. The greatest increase in growth of nematode-inoculated plants and reduction in nematode galling was observed when P. polymyxa was used with P. lilacinus or P. chlamydosporia. P. lilacinus parasitised more females and eggs than the other fungi tested. Root colonisation by P. polymyxa was high when used alone but reduced in the presence of antagonistic fungi.