The influence of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alone or in combination with Meloidogyne incognita on Hyoscyamus niger L.

Abstract

Three vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi; Glomus aggregatum, Glomus fasciculatum and Glomus mosseae were evaluated for protecting against the reproduction and infection potential of Meloidogyne incognita on black henbane, Hyoscyamus niger. Different VAM fungi enhanced the growth and biomass of the plant. The results also indicated that treatments of plants with VAM fungi increased fresh and dry root and shoot weight and decreased M. incognita populations in both soil and roots in pot experiments. A significant reduction in M. incognita reproduction potential (Rf=4.4) was observed when G. aggregatum was used. Treatment with G. aggregatum alone yielded the highest mycorrhizal infection (88%) followed by G. aggregatum + M. incognita (75%), G. mosseae (69%), G. fasciculatum (57%), G. Mosseae + M. Incognita (53%) and G. fasciculatum + M. incognita (45%). A similar trend was also observed in the multiplication of VAM spores in soil.