Isolation and in vitro studies on indigenous fungi against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate the indigenous fungi from soil against the root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita. Eleven isolates were isolated and screened for their efficacy against nematode under in vitro condition for egg hatching and juvenile mortality. The results revealed that the isolate F6 showed the highest egg hatching inhibition (88.5%) followed by F11 and F7 compared to control after incubation for 72 h. The highest juvenile mortality of 73% was recorded in isolate F6 followed by F11 and F9 after 72 h. Isolate F6 was morphologically and molecularly identified as Talaromyces pinophilus and F9 and F11 were identified as Aspergillus corrugates and Aspergillus nidulans. Among the fungi, T. pinophilus was found to be highly effective against root knot nematode.