Authors : Mehmet Karakas, Mehlika Benli and Suna Cebesoy
Abstract: The root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita causes serious economic loss to tomato plantation in Turkey. Fungi associated with eggs of M. incognita in tomato plantation soil have not been studied yet but this knowledge could from the basis for future field studies on biological control of this nematode. In this study, effects of different pH levels, temperature and light intensity were tested on the growth of two isolates of nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia: Pochonia chlamydosporia var. chlamydosporia and Pochonia chlamydosporia var. catenulate. These isolates were isolated from M. incognita eggs and analyzed based on their cultural conditions. The results of experiment indicated that the growth of P. chlamydosporia var. chlamydosporia was maximum in pH range of 4.00-7.00 and the best growth of P. chlamydosporia var. catenulate was in 6.00-7.00. The optimum temperature for growth ranged between 25 and 30°C for two isolates of P. chlamydosporia. Maximum growth of P. chlamydosporia var. chlamydosporia was in darkness and for P. chlamydosporia var. catenulate occurred in 12 h light and 12 h dark. Future studies are required to clarify the potential of these fungi as biological control agents of M. incognita.
Mehmet Karakas, Mehlika Benli and Suna Cebesoy, 2012. Effects of Some Cultural Conditions on the Growth of Nematophagous Fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia (Fungi: Clavicipitaceae) Isolated from Meloidogyne incognita Eggs. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 11: 4644-4647.