Antagonistic potential of endophytic fungi against Meloidogyne enterolobii, M. incognita and Nacobbus aberrans sensu lato

Root-knot nematodes limit horticultural crop production in Mexico where management is mainly based on nematicides that represent a risk to health and the environment. Thus, biological alternatives, such as the use of endophytic fungi, are currently being developed. The objective of this research was to isolate, identify and evaluate the antagonistic potential of endophytic fungi against the root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne enterolobii, M. incognita and the false root-knot nematode Nacobbus aberrans sensu lato (s.l.) occurring in Mexico. Endophytic fungi from chili pepper and tomato plants with a low root galling index were isolated from three localities in Sinaloa state (Villa Ju ' arez, Valle de Culiacan and La Cruz de Elota) and one in Mexico City (Xochimilco). Fourteen isolates from leaves and roots were evaluated to assess: i) the ability to promote growth in chili pepper and tomato plants, ii) the degree of parasitism on nematode eggs and second-stage juveniles (J2), and iii) the nematostatic and nematicidal effect of their filtrates on the J2. In the trials, the three most effective endophytic fungal isolates were Chaetomium globosum (S1TH2), Echria macrotheca (S3RT2) and Stagonospora trichophoricola (XRC3). All three fungal isolates increased growth on chili pepper plants after application, but only two (S3RT2 and XRC3) did so on tomato plants. S1TH2 parasitized M. enterolobii eggs; S3RT2 and XRC3 eggs of N. aberrans s. l.; S3RT2 also parasitized M. incognita eggs and J2 of N. aberrans s.l. The S1TH2 filtrate was nematostatic for M. incognita and N. aberrans s.l., the XRC3 filtrate was nematostatic for N. aberrans s.l., and the S3RT2 filtrate was nematostatic and nematicidal for the J2 of N. aberrans s.l. The results obtained indicate that these isolates could be involved in natural regulation and biological control of root-knot nematodes.

Automated summary

This study aimed to develop biological alternatives to nematicides for managing root-knot nematodes in Mexico. The researchers isolated endophytic fungi from chili pepper and tomato plants and evaluated their effectiveness in promoting plant growth and parasitizing nematode eggs and juveniles. Three fungal isolates were found to be the most effective, with positive effects on plant growth and nematode control.