Mushrooms as efficient biocontrol agents against the root-knot nematode, meloidogyne incognita
Gaziea M. Soliman, Waill A. Elkhateeb, Ting‐Chi Wen, Ghoson M. Daba
Abstract
Background Root-knot nematodes in general and Meloidogyne incognita , in particular, are pests that cause agricultural losses. Currently, nematode control relies on chemical nematicides, which are hazardous to the environment and human health. The increasing demand for ecofriendly nematicides has prompted researchers to look into biocontrol agents that act as efficient and long-lasting alternatives to the currently used chemicals. Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the in-vitro nematicidal activity of eight mushroom ( Cordyceps militaris , Metacordyceps neogunnii , Hericium erinaceus , Dictyophora indusiata , Cerioporus squamosus , Tirmania nivea , Tirmania pinoyi , and Agaricus impudicus ) extracts against M. incognita juveniles and eggs. Materials and methods Hydromethanolic extracts were prepared from the fruiting bodies of mushrooms under investigation. Then the obtained extracts were evaluated for their in-vitro nematicidal activity against M. incognita juveniles’ second stage after 24, 48, and 72 h of treatment, also against their eggs. Results and conclusion All tested mushroom extracts were capable of inducing mortality in M. incognita second stage juveniles with mortality percentages ranging from 79.3 to 97%. On the other hand, the tested mushroom extracts exhibited some nematostatic and nematicidal activity against M. incognita eggs as compared with the control after 7 days using 80 µl/ml concentration. The tested mushroom extracts caused suppression in M. incognita eggs hatching with inhibition rates that ranged from 59.38 to 81.25%. A. impudicus hydromethanolic extract showed the highest inhibition as compared with the control and other tested mushroom extracts as it caused a relative suppression that reached 81.25% against M. incognita eggs after 7 days of exposure. The same mushroom extract has achieved a juveniles mortality of 97%. A. impudicus extract is nominated as a potential nematicidal agent. Further studies are required to confirm the potency of this extract and analyze its chemical profile.