Abstract

Root-knot (Meloidogyne species) nematodes are the most important causes of reduced tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) yield. Therefore, the present investigation was conducted during 2017 at Shahrekord Laboratory to study the effects of three Iranian isolates of Pseudomonas fluorescens (M1, M2 and M3) on the juvenile's mortality and egg hatching of the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita under in vitro conditions. Each isolate's inoculum was prepared by transferring one loopful of the test isolate from a pure culture growing on nutrient agar. After 48 hr of exposure, cell suspension containing 109colony forming units per mL of P. fluorescens, obtained Bacterial isolates did different significant in their effect on mortality of the root-knot nematode. Isolates M1 and M3 caused significantly (P < 0.01) more nematode juvenile mortality than the other isolates and the control. Most of the isolates produced hydrogen cyanide and protease, which are probably involved in nematode mortality and inhibit egg hatching. In the greenhouse study, P. fluorescens isolate M1 significantly increased the plant growth parameters and reduced the nematode reproductive factors for M. incognita associated with tomato. Conclude The results suggest that P. fluorescence M1 can be suitable candidates for use in biological control of M. incognita, which is auspicious for a forward way to achieve sustainable agriculture.