Evaluation of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana culture filtrate for Meloidogyne incognita on tomato

In the present study, the effects of different concentrations of culture filtrate (1x, 5x, 10x, 20x and 50x) of two isolates of Beauveria bassiana (BIM-001 and BY2) on Meloidogyne incognita were investigated under controlled conditions on tomato. The control effect (%) of culture filtrate concentrations compared to that of the positive controls, Nostalgist (0.25 ml/l) (B. bassiana strain Bb-1) and Velum (0.16 ml/l) (Fluopyram). It was determined that the control effect of all concentrations of both isolates was significantly higher than the negative control (sterile distilled water). At undiluted concentration of the filtrate (1x), the control effect of BIM-001 and BY2 isolates was found to be over 70% on galls, egg masses, and soil J2 density. In addition, the most dilute concentration (50x) of BIM-001 decreased root galls, egg masses, and soil J2 density of M. incognita by approximately 35%, while BY2 suppressed about 14.5%. In the study, the chemical nematicide Velum provided the highest control (98%) on the number of galls and egg masses formed by M. incognita on tomato roots and soil J2 density. At the same time, 1x and 5x concentrations of BIM-001 ranked second after Velum. BIM-001 was found to have higher nematicidal effect than BY2. The nematicidal effect of Nostalgist was lower than that of the 1x and 5x concentrations of BIM-001 and BY2 isolates. These results indicate that the entomopathogenic fungus B. bassiana is a good alternative for the biocontrol of M. incognita.