The effect of different carriers on the efficiency of the pathogenic fungus of Metarhizium anisopliae and testing its efficacy against Meloidogyne javanica in tomato and its establishment in the soil and roots

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. of Nematology, Department of Plant Pathology, Marvdasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Fars, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Marvdasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Fars, Iran.

3 Professor, Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Tehran, Iran.

10.22092/bcpp.2025.367696.378

Abstract

The Metarhizium anisopliae, a valuable biocontrol agent against nematodes and insects, offers a promising alternative. This study aimed to identify the most suitable carrier for the solid formulations of M. anisopliae for effective control of tomato nematodes. Metarhizium anisopliae was cultivated in vitro on mung bean seeds, and spore production was initiated after inoculation. The survival of fungal spores was investigated over 12 months using different carriers, including talc, kaolin, soybean meal, rapeseed meal, and sunflower meal. Subsequently, the effectiveness of the fungus in these carriers against M. javanica on tomato plants was assessed in a greenhouse experiment employing a completely randomized design. The oil seed meals consistently exhibited the highest number of surviving spores throughout the 12–month study period. Among the carriers tested, rapeseed meal, soybean meal, and sunflower meal demonstrated remarkable control efficacy against M. javanica, with suppression rates of 86.5%, 87.2%, and 84.5%, respectively, comparable to the commercial nematicide, Floyram (86.9%). Furthermore, these carriers exhibited superior colonization of the rhizosphere and root tissues (36.1, 35.3, and 35.4 × 105 CFU in gram of root, respectively), contributing to enhanced plant growth. Based on the findings, rapeseed meal, soybean meal, and sunflower meal present promising bases for the development of an efficient carrier for the solid formulations against M. javanica. Implementing such formulations could offer an environmentally friendly and economically viable strategy for managing nematode infestations in tomato cultivation.

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References

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BioControl in Plant Protection
Volume 11, Issue 2
January 2025
Pages 41-51

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