Effects of growth promoting microorganisms on tomato growth parameters in interaction with root nematodes

Abstract

As we all are aware of the deleterious and ill effects of various chemical pesticides and inorganic fertilizers, the agricultural community has to move towards an alternative having a sustainable and eco-friendly approach. Thus in this study, we analyzed the efficiency of growth promoting microorganism products (GPMPs) using Tricuran-P (Trichoderma harzianum T-22); Nitroxin (Azospirilium and Azotobacter rhizobacteria in combination); Effective Micro-Organisms (EM) (photosynthetic bacteria, lactobacillus, Streptomyces, Actinomycetes, yeast, etc.); Phytohumic; Formycine Gold PX 20%; and Fenamiphos (Nemacur) on the tomato growth and physico-chemical properties of the plant and the soil at a greenhouse condition in interaction with root-knot nematodes (RKNs), Meloidogyne javanica pathosystem along with irrigation water at the interval of every three weeks for three times. The results showed that the lowest second-stage juveniles (J2) reproduction factor rate in the soil was related to Nemacur 18% and Tricuran-P 19%, followed by Formycine with 30% reduction in comparison to inoculated controls, respectively. Increasing the concentration of Formycine led to a significant decrease in the reproduction factor rate of J2 in the soil and the roots. Furthermore, in the biomass traits, the treatments showed a significant effect on the related traits, which were increased with the Formycine increase in the growth parameters of the biomass traits. The results of the effect of different treatments on physico-chemical traits of the soil indicated that the treatments had a significant difference on all the relevant traits except the concentration of phosphorus (P2O5) and potassium (K2O). Whereas, the content of elements in the tomato plants showed a significant difference on all the evaluated traits. At the same time, the correlation between the attributes in the tomato plant with the soil indicated that the plant’s N had a positive and significant correlation with Organic Carbon (OC), total N, P2O5, K2O and the soil moisture; and a negative and significant correlation with the soil’s EC (electrical conductivity). Moreover, the content of K, Ca, and Mg of the plant had a positive and significant correlation with the soil moisture, and a negative and significant correlation with the soil’s EC. Cumulatively, GPMPs not only are enable to shift over the soil environments in the favor of the plant growth, but also similarly modulate immunity against RKNs, by virtue of which Formycine and others can compete relatively compared to Fenamiphos (Nemacur) and other relevant GPMPs in this research.