Efficacy of Pochonia Chlamydosporia and paecilomyces lilacinus as biocontrolagents of root-knot nematodes

Abstract

Management of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) using fungi that parasitize eggs and females has been gaining popularity as alternatives or supplements to chemical nematicides. This study was conducted with the aim of screening isolates of Pochonia chlamydosporia and Paecilomyces lilacinus in managing root-knot nematodes. Efficacy of six isolates (10, 126, 144, 147, 177 and 392) of P chlamydosporia and two isolates (Pl-Rothamsted and PIplus ™) of P lilacinus was assessed in laboratory and greenhouse using tomato as a test crop. Isolates 10 and 392 were significantly (P<O.OOI) more effective in parasitizing nematode eggs compared to other isolates. A significant (P<O.OOl) reduction, of up to 88%, in the numbers of second-stage juveniles compared to the untreated control was achieved with PI-plus in sterilized and non-sterilized soil and with isolate lOin non-sterilized soil. Shoot weight was 95% and 69 % higher in plants treated with isolates 392 and 10 respectively, compared to the control in non-sterilized. Therefore, isolates 10 and 392 were most effective at controlling root-knot nematodes compared to the other fungal isolates. It can therefore be concluded that Pochonia chlamydosporia and Paecilomyces lilacinus have the potential that can be exploited in the management ofthe plant parasitic nematodes.