Management of root knot nematode on tomato through application of fungal antagonists, Acremonium strictum and Trichoderma harzianum

Management of root knot nematode disease infecting tomato, by the use of fungal bioagents Acremonium strictum and Trichoderma harzianum isolated from egg masses of M. incognita infecting tomato has been carried out. The rhizosphere and rhizoplane of root knot nematode infested tomato revealed consistent association of Acremonium strictum. In the present study A. strictum and other fungal bioagents viz. Aspergillus niger, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Rhizoctonia solani and Trichoderma harzianum isolated earlier from egg-masses of M. incognita, identified and maintained have been investigated through in-vitro and in-vivo trials for their potentiality against M. incognita. Out of the above, isolated mycoflora A. niger was identified to be toxic against M. incognita while A. strictum and T. harzianum was found to possess both egg parasitic or opportunistic and toxic properties. A field trial with all the above fungal bioagents both alone and together showed significant promising performance by the dual treatment of A. strictum and T. harzianum in improving the health of the tomato plant with a remarkable reduction in M. incognita population.