Utilizing endophytic plant growth-promoting bacteria and the nematophagous fungus Purpureocillium lilacinum as biocontrol agents against the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) on tomato plants

The present investigation was designed to assess how administering biocontrol agents (BCAs) made from the nematophagous endophytic fungus MR20 (Purpureocillium lilacinum) or a mixture of endophytic plant growth-promoting bacteria MR12 (Pseudomonas fluorescens), and MR25 (Serratia marcescens), could enhance tomato growth and resistance to Meloidogyne incognita under in vivo conditions. The three strains’ cell-free culture filtrates showed a strong nematocidal impact (P < 0.05) on M. incognita infective second-stage juveniles (J2s). The highest mortality rates by the three BCAs were at concentrations of 80%, followed by 60%, 40%, and 20%. The in vitro hatching of free eggs was found to be considerably (P < 0.05) reduced as the concentrations of the endophytic bacteria MR12, and MR25 were increased in the order 1 × 10⁵, 1 × 10⁶, 1 × 10⁷, 0.5 × 10⁸, to 1 × 10⁸ colony forming units (CFU)/mL, and the maximum nematicidal activity in killing M. incognita free eggs occurred at 1 × 10⁸ CFU/mL. A statistically significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the percentage of M. incognita-free eggs retrieved was seen in vitro when various concentrations of the endophytic fungus MR20 were applied compared to the negative control (distilled water). The endophytic fungus MR20 had the highest nematicidal activity against M. incognita free eggs at a concentration of 3 × 10⁶ CFU/mL. The application of P. lilacinum or a combination of P. fluorescens and S. marcescens to tomato plants in the presence of M. incognita under greenhouse conditions resulted in a significant increase (P < 0.05) in root and shoot fresh weight, number of leaves, weight of leaves, and stem diameter when compared to the positive control treatment that contained only M. incognita. Treatment with P. lilacinum was more effective (P < 0.05) than P. fluorescens and S. marcescens in reducing egg masses per root, J2s per 100 g of soil, egg masses per 100 g of soil, J2s + eggs of M. incognita per 100 g of soil, reproduction factor, and reduction percentage after 60 days under greenhouse conditions. Nevertheless, the reduction of M. incognita gall size categorization (> 4 mm, 2–4 mm, and < 2 mm) was more effectively achieved by treatment with P. fluorescens and S. marcescens than by treatment with P. lilacinum. Under in vivo conditions, the tested P. lilacinum or a mixture of P. fluorescens and S. marcescens effectively controlled nematode population densities below the economic threshold.