First report of the nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys thaumasia in Türkiye and its biocontrol potential against Meloidogyne incognita

EKEN C., Uysal G., DEMİR D., Çalişkan S., Sevindik E., ÇAĞLAYAN K.

Journal of Phytopathology, vol.172, no.4, 2024 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 172 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/jph.13354
  • Journal Name: Journal of Phytopathology
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Keywords: Arthrobotrys thaumasia, biocontrol, Meloidogyne incognita, nematode-trapping fungus, root-knot nematode
  • Isparta University of Applied Sciences Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Root-knot nematodes, particularly, Meloidogyne incognita, are among the most destructive endoparasitic nematodes, infecting a diverse range of plant hosts. Nematode-trapping fungi are known for their potential application as biological control agents against plant parasitic nematodes. In the present study, the nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys thaumasia was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of tomato plants in the West Mediterranean Region of Türkiye. Two hundred and twenty-three tomato plant rhizosphere soil samples yielded six nematode-trapping fungal isolates, giving an occurrence frequency of 2.69%. Using morphology and molecular marker sequences (ITS and β-tubulin loci), the species of the fungi was confirmed to be A. thaumasia. In vitro, A. thaumasia reduced second-stage juveniles of M. incognita by 77.5% (isolate I-Y4-2) and 72.5% (isolate B-G5-1). This is the first report on the isolation and characterization of the nematode-trapping fungus A. thaumasia from Türkiye. Two isolates of A. thaumasia (I-Y4-2 and B-G5-1) appear to be promising biological control agents that may be utilized for controlling M. incognita-caused root-knot diseases.