Biological control of Radopholus similis in banana by combined application of the mutualistic endophyte Fusarium oxysporum strain 162, the egg pathogen Paecilomyces lilacinus strain 251 and the antagonistic bacteria Bacillus firmus

The biological control efficacy of single or multiple applications of the mutualistic endophyte Fusarium oxysporum strain 162, the egg pathogen Paecilomyces lilacinus strain 251 and the antagonistic bacteria Bacillus firmus toward Radopholus similis was investigated in pot trials with banana under glasshouse conditions. R. similis was controlled substantially in single and combined applications of F. oxysporum with P. lilacinus or B. firmus. The combination of F. oxysporum and P. lilacinus caused a 68.5% reduction in nematode density whereas the individual applications reduced the density by 27.8% and 54.8% over the controls, respectively. Combined application of F. oxysporum and B. firmus was the most effective treatment in controlling R. similis on banana (86.2%), followed by B. firmus alone (63.7%). The compatibility of the biocontrol agents, as well the capacity of F. oxysporum to colonize banana roots in the absence or presence of P. lilacinus was also investigated. P. lilacinus did not adversely affect endophytic colonization by F. oxysporum. Biological control of R. similis in banana can therefore be enhanced via combined applications of antagonists with different modes of action that target different stages in the infection process.