Suppressive Bacteria Associated with Plant Parasitic Nematodes in Egyptian Agriculture

Several bacteria were isolated from Meloidogyne incognita egg masses, and Heterodera zeae cysts. Screening the isolates for nematoxic effects resulted in five species with antagonisms to plant parasitic nematodes. The isolates were Bacillus sp., Corynebacterium sp., Serratia sp., Arthrobacterium sp., and Streptomyces sp. They were frequently associated with both egg masses and cysts. Liquid cultures of the five isolates at concentration as low as 0.1% inhibited hatching of M. incognita eggs. The culture filtrates at a concentration of 0.6% were highly toxic to juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita, Rotylenchulus reniformis, and Tylenchulus semipenetrans. At lower concentrations, however, this toxic effect varied with the different nematode species. Jpn. J. Nematol. 24 (2) 55-59 (1994).