Natural Fungi Effectively Control Harmful Nematodes in Dry Beans

Greg Howard
11th August, 2024

Natural Fungi Effectively Control Harmful Nematodes in Dry Beans

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study from North-West University in South Africa explored using local fungi to control harmful nematodes in dry beans
  • Trichoderma ghanense and Talaromyces minioluteus were the most effective fungi, significantly reducing nematode populations
  • Adding compost enhanced the fungi's effectiveness, likely due to improved soil health and microbial activity
Dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a crucial crop in South Africa, providing an affordable protein source and contributing to food security. However, it is highly susceptible to root-knot nematodes (RKN), particularly Meloidogyne species, which can severely impact yield. Recent research from North-West University has investigated the use of indigenous nematophagous fungi as biological control agents (BCA) against Meloidogyne enterolobii, a particularly aggressive nematode species[1]. The study aimed to identify indigenous fungal species that could effectively reduce M. enterolobii populations on dry beans. The fungi screened included Aspergillus terreus, Talaromyces minioluteus, T. sayulitensis, Trichoderma ghanense, and T. viride. The results showed significant parasitism differences among these fungi, with T. ghanense exhibiting the highest egg parasitism at 86%, followed by T. minioluteus at 72%, and T. sayulitensis at 70%. For juvenile stage 2 (J2) nematodes, T. minioluteus demonstrated the highest parasitism at 95%, followed by A. terreus and T. viride, both at 63%. These findings were consistent under in vivo conditions, and the efficacy was enhanced with the incorporation of compost. This study builds on previous research highlighting the challenges posed by plant-parasitic nematodes and the limitations of chemical nematicides. Traditional nematicides, such as organophosphorus and carbamate compounds, have become less effective over time due to increased nematode resistance and environmental concerns[2]. The use of biological control agents offers a sustainable alternative. For example, a study on Trichoderma atroviride demonstrated its potential as a BCA against Fusarium species in maize, showing that native fungal strains can be effective in local conditions[3]. The findings from the North-West University study are particularly significant given the context of sub-Saharan Africa, where smallholder farming dominates and there is limited understanding of nematode problems[4]. The use of indigenous fungi as BCAs can be integrated into existing agricultural practices, providing an ecologically sound method of pest management. The incorporation of compost further enhances the efficacy of these BCAs, likely due to improved soil health and microbial activity. Additionally, previous studies have shown that the host status of sweetpotato cultivars to different Meloidogyne species can vary significantly, indicating that resistance to one species does not guarantee resistance to another[5]. This underscores the importance of identifying specific BCAs for targeted nematode species, as done in the current study. In conclusion, the use of indigenous nematophagous fungi offers a promising and sustainable approach to managing Meloidogyne enterolobii in dry bean production. The North-West University study provides valuable insights into the efficacy of different fungal species and highlights the potential for integrating these BCAs with compost to enhance their effectiveness. This research contributes to the broader goal of developing sustainable agricultural practices that can help secure food production in regions like sub-Saharan Africa.

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References

Main Study

1) Bio-control efficacy of selected indigenous nematophagous fungi against Meloidogyne enterolobii in vitro and on dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Published 10th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10123-024-00571-1

Related Studies

2) Chemical Nematicides: Recent Research Progress and Outlook.

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.0c02871

3) Trichoderma atroviride as a promising biocontrol agent in seed coating for reducing Fusarium damping-off on maize.

https://doi.org/10.1111/jam.14641

4) Plant-Parasitic Nematodes and Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa.

https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-phyto-080417-045833

5) Reproduction of Meloidogyne enterolobii on selected root-knot nematode resistant sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) cultivars.

https://doi.org/10.21307/jofnem-2020-063


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