Simultaneous application of two species of Trichoderma and Bacillus subtilis to control root knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) on tomato

In the current research, simultaneous application of Trichoderma harzianum (T.BI) and T. virens (T.65) species with two strains of Bacillus subtilis (MD, Bs) were evaluated on reduction of Meloidogyne javanica pathogenicity indexes and improvement of tomato growth factors in a bioassay trial fungal culture extract and bacterial suspension were tested on mortality of second stage juveniles and egg hatching individually and simultaneously. Application of T65 (T. virens) and MD (B. subtilis) caused 5 and 1.5 times enhancement in juvenile mortality and egg hatching inhibition of M. javanica in comparison to control in laboratory conditions. Furthermore, roots of tomato seedlings with 4-5 leaves were treated by mentioned combination in greenhouse. Comparing to control treatment of T65 MD lead to reduction of gall, egg and second stage juvenile numbers by 68, 57.5 and 38.3 % respectively. According to our results, efficiency assessment of T.65 treatment on reduction of pathogenicity indexes in root knot nematode is recommended under natural condition. Evaluation of tomato growth factors improvement in pot experiments revealed that MD bacterial strain, has potential of increasing tomato shoot and root length by 34 and 110 % respectively in comparison to healthy control. Therefore, it seems that MD strain is suitable candidate for further research in the fields of plant hormones production and possible induction of resistance in plant.