Induced systemic resistance of selected endophytic bacteria against Meloidogyne incognita on tomato

Abstract

In previuose the four endophytic bacteria Pantoea agglomerans MK-29. Cedeca davisae MK-30, enterobacter spp. MK-42 and Pseudomonas pulido MT·19 were shown to reduce Meloidogyne incognita on tomato when applied as a seed treatment and/or soil drench. The objctive of this work was to study these bacteria for their potential to induce systemic resistance agains root knot nematodes on tomato. To guarantee spatial separation between inducing agent and pathogen a split·root system was chosen and inoculated with the bacteria as a difrench aflication on one side of the root system and 6 days later with 2000 juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita on the other side of the split·root system. The experiment was main-timed in the greenhouse and repeated once. The penetration rate of juveniles as well as the : root·knot galls and egg masses was recorded. Treatment with all four bacteria significantly reduced juvenile penetration and the number of root·knot galls when compared with the non-treated control. Induced systemic resistance is considered a possible control ophytic bacteria against root·knot nematodes.