Biological control of Meloidogyne javanica on tomato with Dazitol® and soil solarization.

Pot and greenhouse trials were conducted for the management of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica, infestation in tomato. Growth parameters, gall index, soil, and root nematode populations were measured to assess the effect of a novel bio-pesticide (Dazitol®), made from mustard oil and oleoresin of Capsicum, on plant growth and nematode reproduction. Data generated within the pot experiment showed that the tested bio-pesticide did not improve plant growth, but it reduced significantly root-knot nematode damage resulting in a decrease in gall index and root (91%) and soil (62%) population of M. javanica compared with untreated plants. The greenhouse experiment showed that Mocap® and Dazitol® decreased nematode incidence significantly (P < 0.05) on tomato. The result of this study suggested that the best nematode control was obtained by combining soil solarization with chemical or botanical nematicides as an integrated pest management approach.

First report of Pratylenchus vulnus associated with apple in Tunisia.

The root-lesion nematode of the genus Pratylenchus Filipjev (1936) has a worldwide distribution and cause severe production constraints on numerous important crops. In 2013-14, during a survey of the apple nurseries and orchards in center of Tunisia (Kairouan, Zaghouan, Monastir and Kasserine), 70 different roots and soil samples were collected. The populations of root-lesion nematode were identified on the basis of their morphological and morphometric characters, and by molecular methods. Microscopic observation of females and males demonstrated the occurrence of Pratylenchusd vulnus on apple trees. The ribosomal DNA D2-D3 expansion segments of the 28S rRNA and of the Pratylenchus populations were PCR amplified and sequenced. The sequences were compared with those of Pratylenchus species in the GenBank database with high similarity (99%). This comparison reconfirmed the morphological identifications. Phylogenetic studies placed those populations with P. vulnus. This is the first report of P. vulnus infecting apple in Tunisia.The root-lesion nematode of the genus Pratylenchus Filipjev (1936) has a worldwide distribution and cause severe production constraints on numerous important crops. In 2013-14, during a survey of the apple nurseries and orchards in center of Tunisia (Kairouan, Zaghouan, Monastir and Kasserine), 70 different roots and soil samples were collected. The populations of root-lesion nematode were identified on the basis of their morphological and morphometric characters, and by molecular methods. Microscopic observation of females and males demonstrated the occurrence of Pratylenchusd vulnus on apple trees. The ribosomal DNA D2-D3 expansion segments of the 28S rRNA and of the Pratylenchus populations were PCR amplified and sequenced. The sequences were compared with those of Pratylenchus species in the GenBank database with high similarity (99%). This comparison reconfirmed the morphological identifications. Phylogenetic studies placed those populations with P. vulnus. This is the first report of P. vulnus infecting apple in Tunisia.

Biological control of wilt disease complex on tomato crop caused by Meloidogyne javanica and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici by Verticillium leptobactrum.

The efficacy of Verticillium leptobactrum isolate (HR1) was evaluated in the control of root-knot nematode and Fusarium wilt fungus under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Five concentrations of V. leptobactrum (HR1) isolate were tested for their nematicidal and fungicidal activities against Meloidogyne javanica and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici in vitro. Laboratory trials showed that mycelium growth inhibition of Fusarium wilt fungus was correlated to the increase of the concentration of culture filtrate. All dilutions showed efficiency in reducing the growth of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici. The greatest nematicidal activity was observed at 50, 75, and 100% filtrate dilutions. The egg hatching percentage reached 42%, and the juvenile's corrected mortality registered 90% for the above treatments. In greenhouse experiment, the biocontrol agent fungus enhanced significantly tomato growth components (height and weight of plant and root). The multiplication rate of root-knot nematode and the Fusarium wilt disease incidence declined significantly with soil application of V. leptobactrum as with chemical treatments. The isolate HR1 was efficient to control wilt disease complex caused by M. javanica and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici.