Pseudomonas oryzihabitans Suppresses Damage Caused by Root-knot Nematode Meloidogyne javanica on Tomato

Agricultural research made in recent years has found that many bacterial organisms act like biological control agents with minimal impact on the environment. These microorganisms and their toxic metabolites should be included in those which are acceptable to qualify a product as organic or integrated and enjoy all the benefits that entails. Hence, interest in the use of microorganisms as biological agents to protect crop plants against plant parasitic nematodes has been increasing. This study investigated the ability of.Pseudomonas oryzihabitans symbiotically associated with the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema abbasi as a bioagent against plant parasitic nematodes which infected tomato crop. The bacterium is particularly effective against root-knot nematode in vitro affecting the behavior and mobility of root-knot nematode juveniles. Also, studies in planta demonstrated the efficacy of P. oryzihabitans by preventing tomato root system by invasion of juveniles of Meloidogynejavaniea when bacterial cells were applied to the root system before nematodes. This efficacy is dependent on bacterial cell concentration used and the time of the nematode exposure. However, a better nematode control might be achieved with multiple applications of the biocontrol agent. Furthermore, the results of this study provide evidence that the bacterium P. oryzihabitans produces metabolites, which have nematostatic effects.