The ability of separate and combined application of five nematophagous fungi against Meloidogyne javanica on eggplant

The infectivity of Pochonia bulbillosa (Pb), Pochonia chlamydosporia var. catenulata (Pccat), Pochonia chlamydosporia var. chlamydosporia (Pcc), Lecanicillium aphanocladii (La) and Trichoderma harzianum (Th) on Meloidogyne javanica egg masses was assessed in an in vitro experiment. These fungi were also used alone and in binary or trinary combination for the management of M. javanica on eggplant. There was no significant difference among fungi in their infection rate or in reducing hatch of nematode eggs. After 8 weeks, the plant growth parameter (shoot and root weight) was similar in the treatments where the fungal biocontrol agents were applied separately or simultaneously. The total number of eggs (healthy and infected) on root system was not considerably decreased compared with control. Integrated application of fungi increased the infection rate significantly. No treatment could control the nematode as the same level as cadusafos nematicide (96%), however the combined use of Pccat, La with Pcc (85%) or Th (83%) controlled the nematode satisfactorily. Therefore, simultaneous application of Pccat, La and Pcc or Pccat, La and Th are recommendable as a measure for controlling M. javanica.