Root endophytic fungi of tomato and their role as biocontrol agents of root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and white) Chitwood and growth promotion in tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill):

Abstract

Root knot nematode, (Meloidogyne incognita) is a major constraint to tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) production in the whole world. The aim of this research was (1) exploration of endophytic fungi from highland and lowland areas in healthy and nematode infected tomato plants, (2) to assess the potential of endophytic fungi of tomato to suppress of root knot nematodes as well as in growth promotion of tomato plants (3) ) to investigate the mechanisms by which endophytic fungi suppress root knot nematodes in vitro In this research, the effect of 12 tomato root endophytic fungi isolates that is Nigrospora sp, isolate XP9, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium chlamydosporum, Chrysosporium sp, Trichoderma hamatum, Trichoderma pseudokoningii, Sterile black 1, Torula sp, Sterile black 2,Ulocladium sp dan Fusarium sp 3 against host preference by root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) as well as growth promotion in tomato plants. This research was conducted in Nematology Laboratory, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Bogor Agricultural University, and in the greenhouse at the University Farm in Cikabayan Bogor from February to August 2009.

Nematoda puru akar, (Meloidogyme incognita) adalah salah satu OPT utama tomat (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) di seluruh dunia. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk (1) mengeksploitasi cendawan endofit (2) melihat pengaruh cendawan endofit terhadap nematoda puru akar (Meloidogyne incognita) serta pemacu pertumbuahan pada tanaman tomat, (3) menginvestigasi mekanisme cendawan endofit menekan nematoda puru akar secara in-vitro.