The Effects of Endophytic Purpureocillium Lilacinum and Chaetomium Globosum on Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne Incognita Under Greenhouse and Field Conditions

Both Purpureocillium (previously Paecilomyces) and Chaetomium fungi have been reported to have negative effects against insect or nematode herbivores. Purpureocillium lilacinum (previously Paecilomyces lilacinus) has been formulated and commercialized as a bionematicide and bioinsecticide for the biological control of nematode and insect herbivores. We evaluated two endophytic strains of Purpureocillium lilacinum and Chaetomium globosum isolated from cotton plants in Texas for their endophytic effects in cotton against root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne incognita, under greenhouse and field conditions. In greenhouse experiments, endophytic colonization of cotton by each strain negatively affected root-knot nematode infection at 12 days and reproduction 6 weeks after egg inoculation. In field trials, both endophytic strains were evaluated using two seed treatment methods in two different cotton varieties.  The effects of the endophyte treatments on controlling nematode M. incognita and enhancing plant performance were evaluated, and will be discussed in detail.