Development of Pasteuria penetrans on different field populations of Meloidogyne spp. from Pakistan

Abstract

Summary Pasteuria penetrans is a hyperparasite with potential as a biological control agent of root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp. In this study two exotic Pasteuria isolates (PP-3 and PP-J) were developed on different Meloidogyne spp. collected from different districts of Punjab, Pakistan. The development of PP-3 and PP-J on different field populations of Meloidogyne spp. showed differential infectivity in terms of nematode reproduction variables. The development of PP-3 and PP-J was maximum on tomato as compared to cucumber. It was probably due to more invasion sites for nematodes present in the tomato roots. However, a bigger root system has not always been a guarantee for development of Pasteuria on Meloidogyne spp. For successful development of Pasteuria, the key parameters are the percentage of infected females, number of endospores (female)−1 or endospores (mg root powder)−1. The results of these parameters are greater in tomato as compared to cucumber.