ANTAGONISM OF <I>PAECILOMYCES</I> SPP. ISOLATED FROM BANANA (<I>MUSA</I> SPP.)ROOTS AND RHIZOSPHERE AGAINST<I>RADOPHOLUS SIMILIS</I>

Authors

  • P. Kilama
  • T. Dubois
  • D. Coyne
  • B. Niere
  • C. S. Gold
  • E. Adipala

Keywords:

bioassay, burrowing nematode, East African highland banana, Musa, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Paecilomyces marquandii, Radopholus similis

Abstract

Kilama, P., T. Dubois, D. Coyne, B. Niere, C. S. Gold and E. Adipala. 2007. Antagonism of Paecilomyces spp. isolated from banana (Musa spp.) roots and rhizosphere against Radopholus similis. Nematropica 37:215-225. Banana (Musa spp.) in East Africa is threatened by pests and diseases, of which the burrowing nematode, Radopholus similis, is among the most serious and difficult to control. Fungal antagonists, such as Paecilomyces spp., can aid in controlling R. similis. In this study, Paecilomyces spp. was isolated from banana roots and rhizosphere in fields in Uganda with high and low densities of R. similis. Fungi were more abundant in the rhizosphere than on roots in the field with low R. similis density, whereas the reverse occurred in the field with high R. similis density. A total of 23 isolates of Paecilomyces spp. were collected, of which Paecilomyces lilacinus was the most abundant species. This is the first report showing the high presence of Paecilomyces spp. in the rhizosphere of bananas. Bioassays revealed that filtrates of P. lilacinus and Paecilomyces marquandii caused reversible paralysis of male and juvenile R. similis. Paecilomyces lilacinus isolate 23N5-2 caused greatest paralysis, which was not influenced by filtrate concentration.

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Published

2007-12-01

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Section

Articles