Vol. 12, Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
P Senthilkumar and M Deivamani

Abstract:
Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita is important pest of agriculture and horticulture crops in India. Biological control has been developed as an eco-friendly treatment to control of plant parasitic nematodes. A Survey was conducted for isolation of antagonistic fungus from five districts of north eastern region of Tamil Nadu viz., Tiruvannamalai, Cuddalour, Villupuram, Kallakurichi and Vellore districts. From the survey, 35 cultures were isolated among them Trichoderma reesei (TVM1) culture showed very effective against root knot nematode. Trichoderma reesei (TVM 1) strain showed high virulence against second stage juveniles (J₂) of M. incognita by morphology analysis as well as biomolecular assay. Besides, Trichoderma reesei (TVM 1) significantly inhibited egg hatching with the inhibition percentages of 80.20, 67.40, and 57.00% at 48, 72, and 96 h after the treatment, respectively. The results of pot culture experiment showed that the modification of Trichoderma reesei TVM 1 significantly decreased the number of root galls, J₂ and nematode egg masses and J₂ population density in soil and significantly increased the growth of tomato plants. In the field experiment, the efficacy of Trichoderma reesei TVM 1 showed more than 60 percent against root-knot nematode. Trichoderma reesei (TVM 1) could be used as a potential biological control agent against root-knot nematode, M. incognita under pot and field conditions.