Survey of Egg- and Cyst-parasitic Fungi of Potato Cyst Nematode in Indonesia

Twelve fungal isolates out of 123 isolates obtained from cysts and soils of potato cyst nematode (PCN)-infested fields in Central Java, Indonesia had parasitic abilities of over 50% on PCN eggs or females (cysts) in vitro pathogenicity tests. Cultural and morphological characters and DNA sequences of ribosomal genes in ITS region revealed that they were four isolates of Gliocladium (Trichoderma) virens, three isolates of Fusarium oxysporum, one of E lateritium, one of Penicillium tritinum and two of Taralomyces spp. A hundred percent infections occurred in eggs or cysts by three fungal isolates G virens, E oxysporum and P oxalicum, suggesting that these fungi may have a good potential for the PCN biocontrol. Especially, G virens isolates, which occurred most frequently in the PCN-infested potato fields and are known to be highly adaptable to varying habitats, may be developed as reliable agents for controlling PCN with both egg- and cyst-parasitic capabilities and with high ecological adaptabilities.