Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica, in response to soil fertilization

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) (Meloidogyne spp.) are well known disease problem causing major losses in vegetable crops. Although, chemical nematicides have been used as one of the primary means for controlling RKNs, reliance on these nematicides is associated with heavy costs and negative effects on human health and environment. In this research, the suppressing potential of 6 Iranian commercial fertilizers on RKNs was investigated in laboratory and greenhouse conditions as an alternative to reduce the use of chemical nematicides. For this purpose, M. javanica inoculum was thoroughly mixed with autoclaved sandy loam soil. Then, 6 fertilizers (biofertilizer, phosphate chemical fertilizer (phosphate), potassium chemical fertilizer (potassium), peat moss, vermicompost, and leaf mold) were added individually to the inoculated soil, according to the defined treatments. The nematicide Cadusafos was used as a positive control. A negative control was also included in the experiment (including no fertilizer and no nematicide). Four-leaf seedlings of the tomato (Super Chief cv.) were transferred to the pots filled using 2 kg of the treated soil. After 60 days, reproduction factor (RF), egg mass, and root galling of the nematode were recorded. The results showed that, fertilizer-treated soils had significantly (P≤0.05) lower root galling, egg mass, and RF compared to the negative control. After the nematicide treatment, the highest suppression capability on the RKN was obtained in treatments of phosphate, biofertilizer, potassium, vermicompost, peat moss, and leaf mold, respectively. It can be concluded that, replacing chemical nematicides with fertilizers may be considered as a successful nematode management in tomato fields.