Long-term biological effectiveness of Pochonia chlamydosporia var. catenulata against Meloidogyne incognita infection in a crop rotation systemi

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Pochonia chlamydosporia var. catenulata and the bacteria Tsukamurella paurometabola strain C-924 (HeberNem™), to control Meloidogyne incognita infection in a crop rotation system (cucumber, tomato and pepper) under greenhouse production during six crop cycles. We determined gall index, prevalence, intensity of disease, and number of juvenile nematodes in soil. At the end of the sixth cycle, plants protected with P. chlamydosporia showed a reduction in gall index (≤2), prevalence, and median (42%) intensity of disease similar or more pronounced than those observed in plants protected with T. paurometabola (80%). Both treatments were more efficient at reducing galling than at reducing prevalence and therefore reduction of intensity of disease was mainly due to the reduction in galling. The hydrolytic activity of P. chlamydosporia and its resistant spores make this fungus one of the best options for the long-term control of RKNs by decreasin...