Mitigation of root-knot nematode infestation in tomato plants by mycorrhizal fungi
Background and objectivesOne of main challenges in tomato farming are root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita). By means of improved plant nutrition, induced systemic resistance, and competitive exclusion, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) helps to control nematodes. An arbuscular mycorrhizal f...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1609286/full |
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| author | Abdel Moneim Elhadi Sulieman Gamal Mohammed Elbadri Naimah Asid Alanazi Meshari Alazmi Ayshah Alrashidi Norah S. Alothman |
| author_facet | Abdel Moneim Elhadi Sulieman Gamal Mohammed Elbadri Naimah Asid Alanazi Meshari Alazmi Ayshah Alrashidi Norah S. Alothman |
| author_sort | Abdel Moneim Elhadi Sulieman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background and objectivesOne of main challenges in tomato farming are root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita). By means of improved plant nutrition, induced systemic resistance, and competitive exclusion, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) helps to control nematodes. An arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), Scutellospora heterogama's biocontrol potential is assessed in this work as a non-chemical substitute for synthetic nematicides.Materials and methodsAfter 1,000 eggs of M. incognita were injected into tomato seedlings (Solanum lycopersicum), three doses of S. heterogama spores (1,000, 1,250, and 1,500 spores per plant) were treated upon them. Three replicates per treatment and a randomized complete block design were used in greenhouses studies. Evaluated were root colonization, gall index, nematode egg count, and plant biomass. The grid-line intersect approach was used to assess AMF colonization; galling index and egg count helped to measure nematode suppression.ResultsAll AMF treatments greatly decreased nematode infestation (from 9.33% in control to 3.78%−4.00%) and increased plant biomass. Optimal 1,250 spore dose would have increased shoot dry weight from 2.14 g to 3.40 g. In treated plants, root colonization came at 89% while in controls it came at 0%. Three sequential experimental replicas carried out under the same controlled greenhouse environment produce the results shown below.ConclusionIn conclusions Scutellospora heterogama reduces M. incognita stress in tomato quite dramatically. Its application might improve environmentally friendly nematode control. Recommendations for field testing help to confirm its broad relevance. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-641e8e8c4d6c48ae98b25dfcb99dfcdc |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2571-581X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems |
| spelling | doaj-art-641e8e8c4d6c48ae98b25dfcb99dfcdc2025-08-20T03:47:19ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems2571-581X2025-06-01910.3389/fsufs.2025.16092861609286Mitigation of root-knot nematode infestation in tomato plants by mycorrhizal fungiAbdel Moneim Elhadi Sulieman0Gamal Mohammed Elbadri1Naimah Asid Alanazi2Meshari Alazmi3Ayshah Alrashidi4Norah S. Alothman5Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Ha'il, Ha'il, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Biology, College of Science, University of Ha'il, Ha'il, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Information and Computer Science, College of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Ha'il, Ha'il, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Biology, College of Science, University of Ha'il, Ha'il, Saudi ArabiaBiology Department, College of Science, University of Jazan, Jazan, Saudi ArabiaBackground and objectivesOne of main challenges in tomato farming are root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita). By means of improved plant nutrition, induced systemic resistance, and competitive exclusion, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) helps to control nematodes. An arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), Scutellospora heterogama's biocontrol potential is assessed in this work as a non-chemical substitute for synthetic nematicides.Materials and methodsAfter 1,000 eggs of M. incognita were injected into tomato seedlings (Solanum lycopersicum), three doses of S. heterogama spores (1,000, 1,250, and 1,500 spores per plant) were treated upon them. Three replicates per treatment and a randomized complete block design were used in greenhouses studies. Evaluated were root colonization, gall index, nematode egg count, and plant biomass. The grid-line intersect approach was used to assess AMF colonization; galling index and egg count helped to measure nematode suppression.ResultsAll AMF treatments greatly decreased nematode infestation (from 9.33% in control to 3.78%−4.00%) and increased plant biomass. Optimal 1,250 spore dose would have increased shoot dry weight from 2.14 g to 3.40 g. In treated plants, root colonization came at 89% while in controls it came at 0%. Three sequential experimental replicas carried out under the same controlled greenhouse environment produce the results shown below.ConclusionIn conclusions Scutellospora heterogama reduces M. incognita stress in tomato quite dramatically. Its application might improve environmentally friendly nematode control. Recommendations for field testing help to confirm its broad relevance.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1609286/fullnematicidearbuscular mycorrhizal fungitomatosynthetic pesticidespathogen |
| spellingShingle | Abdel Moneim Elhadi Sulieman Gamal Mohammed Elbadri Naimah Asid Alanazi Meshari Alazmi Ayshah Alrashidi Norah S. Alothman Mitigation of root-knot nematode infestation in tomato plants by mycorrhizal fungi Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems nematicide arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi tomato synthetic pesticides pathogen |
| title | Mitigation of root-knot nematode infestation in tomato plants by mycorrhizal fungi |
| title_full | Mitigation of root-knot nematode infestation in tomato plants by mycorrhizal fungi |
| title_fullStr | Mitigation of root-knot nematode infestation in tomato plants by mycorrhizal fungi |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mitigation of root-knot nematode infestation in tomato plants by mycorrhizal fungi |
| title_short | Mitigation of root-knot nematode infestation in tomato plants by mycorrhizal fungi |
| title_sort | mitigation of root knot nematode infestation in tomato plants by mycorrhizal fungi |
| topic | nematicide arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi tomato synthetic pesticides pathogen |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1609286/full |
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