Fungal Parasites of Meloidogyne arenaria Eggs in an Alabama Soil. A Mycological Survey and Green-House Studies

Abstract

A survey of fungal parasites of Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal) Chitwood eggs was performed with isolates of the nematode from an Alabama peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) field. Roots of Rutgers tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) infected with the nematode were macerated enzymatically to extract eggs and females. After thorough washing with sterile water, the eggs were placed on acidified PDA and chitin agar. Four fungal parasites were isolated from single eggs of the nematode. The fungal species isolated were Fusarium oxysporum Schlect, Paecilomyces lilacinus (Thom) Samson, Pseudopapulospora kendrickii Sharma, and Verticillium chlamydosporium Goddard; P. lilacinus was the most frequently occurring egg parasite. Results of greenhouse studies indicated that P. lilacinus and V. chlamydosporium were effective in reducing M. arenaria infestations.