title: Effect of a formulation of Bacillus firmus on root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita infestation and the growth of tomato plants in the greenhouse and nursery.
abstract: Bacillus firmus, commercial WP formulation (BioNem) was evaluated against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita in a laboratory, greenhouse and under field conditions on tomato plants. In the laboratory tests, an aqueous suspension of BioNem at 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% concentration reduced egg hatching from 98% to 100%, 24-days after treatment. Treatment of second-stage juveniles with 2.5% and 3% concentration of BioNem, caused 100% inhibition of mobility, 24 h after treatment. In the green house trials, BioNem applied at 8 g/pot (1200 cc soil) planted with a tomato seedlings reduced gall formation by 91%, final nematode populations by 76% and the number of eggs by 45%. Consequently, plant height and biomass was increased by 71% and 50%, respectively, compared to the untreated control, 50-days after treatment application. Application of BioNem at 16 g/pot was phytotoxic to plants. In the field trails, BioNem applied at 200 and 400 kg ha(-1) was effective in reducing the number of galls (75-84%), and increased shoot height (29-31%) and weight (20-24%) over the untreated control, 45-days after treatment. Our results indicate that B. firmus is a promising microorganism for the biological control of M. incognita in tomato pots.
authors.affiliation: Haramaya University, College of Agriculture, Department of Plant Sciences, P.O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Metasebia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Terefe
authors.forename: Tadele
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tefera
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Sakhuja
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001407:Bacillus; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000254:growth & development / Q000469:parasitology*; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development / Q000469:parasitology; D014431:Tylenchoidea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development