Biocontrol Potential of Bacteria Isolated from Vermicompost against Meloidogyne incognita on Tomato and Cucumber Crops

Abstract

Root-knot nematodes are the major diseases in protected cultivation around the world. Bio-organic fertilizer has become a research hotspot, with a variety of microorganisms that control various vegetable soil-borne diseases. This study screened nematocidal microorganisms from fresh vermicompost, explored the inhibitory substances produced by biocontrol agents, and evaluated their potential biocontrol ability in the pot and field under greenhouse conditions. The highly effective antagonistic microbes of Meloidogyne incognita (M. incognita) were screened. Strains YL1 and YL31 were identified as Peribacillus frigoritolerans, and strain YL6 was identified as Lysinibacillus fusiformis. The three strains all produced chitinase and protease, which prevented the normal development of eggs and the second-stage juveniles (J2) by destroying their appearance. The three strains all improved potassium-dissolving ability, and the strains YL1 and YL6 also enhanced phosphorus-dissolving ability. Pot experiments showed that tomato root knots were reduced, and plant growth improved. Field tests showed that the root-knot index and nematode population were reduced significantly, and cucumber growth and yield were enhanced. Strain YL1 had the best control effect with 70.6%, and the yield increased by 14.9% compared with the control. Overall, this study showed the ability of antagonistic bacteria YL1, YL6, and YL31 to control root-knot nematodes, and these antagonistic bacteria could be developed as biocontrol agents for sustainable agriculture.