Rhizosphere-driven integrated management of Meloidogyne incognita in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) using Arthrobotrys oligospora and salicylic acid through enhanced plant defense responses.
Combined application of Arthrobotrys oligospora and salicylic acid reduces Meloidogyne incognita infection by over 50% and boosts tomato defense responses in greenhouse conditions.
- Why it matters: Root knot nematodes cause significant crop losses, and current chemical controls pose environmental risks, highlighting the need for sustainable, eco-friendly management strategies.
- What they did: A greenhouse experiment tested the effects of A. oligospora and salicylic acid, alone and combined, on infected tomato plants, measuring growth, biochemical responses, and nematode suppression.
- The result: The combined treatment markedly improved plant health, increased defense enzyme activities, decreased nematode reproduction, and prevented root damage, enabling environmentally safe nematode control.