Studies on histopathological changes in the tomato roots colonized by arbuscular mycorhizal fungus, Rhizophagus intraradices and infested by root knot nematodes, Meloidogyne incognita

Abstract

Observations on histological changes on root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita infected tomato roots helps to understand the cell wall dynamics and nematode penetration in roots. The present study was conducted not only to understand the host cell wall modifications due to root knot nematodes but also the biocontrol activity of arbuscular mycorhizal fungus Rhizophagus intraradices to suppress the nematode invasion in roots. The results of observations on histopathology of R. intraradices and M. incognita infested roots revealed that, the hypha penetrated the epidermis and produced vesicles and arbuscles before nematode invasion and fewer numbers of giant cells with reduced size were observed compared to M. incognita alone infested roots.