Interactive effects of Nemarioc-AL phytonematicide, Steinernema feltiae and Trichoderma harzianum on the reproduction of Meloidogyne incognita race 2 under greenhouse conditions

Abstract

ABSTRACTInteractive effects of alternatives to methyl bromide on root-knot (Meloidogyne species) nematodes could provide information on whether to use the products combined or singularly. The objective of this study was to investigate the interactive effects of Nemarioc-AL phytonematicide, Steinernema feltiae and Trichoderma harzianum on eggs and reproductive factors of Meloidogyne incognita race 2 under greenhouse conditions. The interactive effects of Nemarioc-AL phytonematicide (N), S. feltiae (S) and T. harzianum (T) on population densities of M. incognita were examined in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment in pots filled with steam-pasteurised soil. Each tomato seedling was inoculated with 2000 eggs and second-stage juveniles (J2), with phytonematicide and biocontrol agents applied at commercial rates. At 56 days after the treatments, the second-order (N1S1T1) interaction reduced eggs and the reproductive factor (RF) in roots by 100% and 93%, respectively. Similarly, the first-order (N1S0T1) interaction reduced the two variables by 92% and 72%, respectively, whereas N1S1T0 interaction had 63% and 55% reduction effects, respectively. Nemarioc-AL phytonematicide was compatible with S. feltiae and T. harzianum and could, therefore, be used collectively to manage population densities of M. incognita.