Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica, in response to soil fertilization.

S Hemmati,A Saeedizadeh

doi:10.1590/1519-6984.218195

S Hemmati, A Saeedizadeh

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.218195

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Abstract

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) (Meloidogyne spp.) are well known disease problem causing major losses in vegetable crops. Although, chemical nematicides have been used as one of the primary means for controlling RKNs, reliance on these nematicides is associated with heavy costs and negative effects on human health and environment. In this research, the suppressing potential of 6 Iranian commercial fertilizers on RKNs was investigated in laboratory and greenhouse conditions as an alternative to reduce the use of chemical nematicides. For this purpose, M. javanica inoculum was thoroughly mixed with autoclaved sandy loam soil. Then, 6 fertilizers (biofertilizer, phosphate chemical fertilizer (phosphate), potassium chemical fertilizer (potassium), peat moss, vermicompost, and leaf mold) were added individually to the inoculated soil, according to the defined treatments. The nematicide Cadusafos was used as a positive control. A negative control was also included in the experiment (including no fertilizer and no nematicide). Four-leaf seedlings of the tomato (Super Chief cv.) were transferred to the pots filled using 2 kg of the treated soil. After 60 days, reproduction factor (RF), egg mass, and root galling of the nematode were recorded. The results showed that, fertilizer-treated soils had significantly (P≤0.05) lower root galling, egg mass, and RF compared to the negative control. After the nematicide treatment, the highest suppression capability on the RKN was obtained in treatments of phosphate, biofertilizer, potassium, vermicompost, peat moss, and leaf mold, respectively. It can be concluded that, replacing chemical nematicides with fertilizers may be considered as a successful nematode management in tomato fields.

Highlights

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs), (Meloidogyne spp.) are important pathogens causing yield loss in greenhouses and fields (Perry et al, 2009)
The most suppressive effect of fertilizers on egg hatching was achieved by phosphate, vermicompost, biofertilizer, potassium, peat moss, and leaf mold treatments, respectively
The highest to the lowest rate (%) of J2s mortality was observed in phosphate, biofertilizer, vermicompost, potassium, peat moss, and leaf mold treatments, respectively

Summary

Introduction

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs), (Meloidogyne spp.) are important pathogens causing yield loss in greenhouses and fields (Perry et al, 2009). Apart from high costs, the application of nematicides is often associated with harmful environmental side effects restricting the achievement of integrated nematode management. Some studies suggested that PPNs may be influenced by soil fertilization (Ahmadi Mansourabad et al, 2016; Melo Santana-Gomes et al, 2013; Khan et al, 2012). Environmental concerns regarding the synthetic nematicides and their high costs raise the suppressive effect of fertilizers on PPNs in soil environment as a viable solution. Stronger plants have more capacity to compensate for the loss of photosynthesis or to reduce the root and leaf area caused by damage to pests and pathogens, including PPNs (Melo Santana-Gomes et al, 2013; Khan et al, 2012). Vermicomposting materials were found to have a nematistatic effect on PPNs populations (Edwards et al, 2007; Pathma and Sakthivel, 2012)

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