< i > Purpureocillium lilacinum < /i > for plant growth promotion and biocontrol against root-knot nematodes infecting eggplant

by Masudulla Khan, Kiwamu TanakaPurpureocillium lilacinum is a biocontrol Ascomycota fungus against various plant pathogens. In the present study, the efficacy ofP.lilacinum was evaluated against a root-knot nematode,Meloidogyne incognita that infects eggplants. We performed an in vitro experiment in which the direct effects ofP.lilacinum on the second-stage juvenile survival and egg hatching ofM.incognita were tested at different exposure times. The results showed thatP.lilacinum significantly reduced the rates of egg hatching and juvenile survival in a dose-dependent manner. Microscopic observation demonstrated thatP.lilacinum directly penetrated the eggs and contacted the juveniles, indicating howP.lilacinum parasitizesM.incognita. We also performed a pot assay in which soil-grown eggplants were treated withP.lilacinum followed by inoculation withM.incognita. The results indicated thatP.lilacinum effectively reduced the nematode population and the number of galls in plant roots. Interestingly, application ofP.lilacinum resulted in significant enhancements in plant growth and biomass, even under nematode infection, while it improved plant photosynthetic pigments, i.e., chlorophyll and carotenoids. Taken together, our study suggested thatP.lilacinum can be used as a plant growth-promoting fungus and a biological nematicide for disease management of root-knot nematodes in eggplants.
Source: PLoS One - Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Source Type: research