Biocontrol of Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood, with the application of

biological control agents

Biocontrol de Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid y White) Chitwood, con la aplicación de agentes de

control biológico

Controle biológico de Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood, mediante a aplicação de

agentes de controle biológico

Jesús Orlando Pérez-González

Humberto Rafael Bravo-Delgado

Yonger Tamayo Aguilar

Adolfo Amador Mendoza

Jorge Francisco León de la Rocha

Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2026, 43(2): e264327

ISSN 2477-9407

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47280/RevFacAgron(LUZ).v43.n2.IX

Crop production

Associate editor: Dra. Evelyn Pérez Pérez

University of Zulia, Faculty of Agronomy

Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

Universidad Tecnológica Tehuacán (UTT). Prolongación

de la 1 sur No. 1101 San Pablo Tepetzingo C.P. 75859.

Tehuacán, Puebla, México.

Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias. Universidad

Autónoma del Estado de Morelos. Avenida Universidad

1001. Cuernavaca, Morelos, México. CP. 62210

Universidad del Papaloapan Campus Loma Bonita. C.P.

68400. Av. Ferrocarril s/n, CD. Universitaria, Loma Bonita,

Oaxaca, México.

Received: 30-01-2026

Accepted: 10-04-2026

Published: 11-05-2026

Keywords:

Tomato

Parasitism

Trichoderma spp.

Isaria fumosorosea

Isaria javanica

Abstract

The objective of the research was to determine the potential of

Trichoderma spp. strains, Isaria fumosorosea, and Isaria javanica

as biocontrol agents against Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and

White) Chitwood, obtained from tomato cv. Saladette (Solanum

lycopersicum L.). Strains of T. harzianum, T. viride, T. koningii, T.

asperellum, and a Trichoderma sp. isolate, as well as I. fumosorosea

and I. javanica, were used. These were previously selected for

their high parasitic capacity, antibiosis, and adaptation to diverse

environmental conditions and substrates. In the in vitro assays,

parasitism of the biological control agents (a pure ltrate of each

strain) on eggs, oothecae, and juveniles (J2) of M. incognita was

evaluated. Observations were carried out using an optical microscope

with a 40X objective lens at 10 days and 72 hours, respectively.

Nematodo control under semi-controlled conditions was conducted

in an experimental area using 10 kg polyethylene bags, inoculated

with approximately 5,000 juveniles (J2) and planted with tomato

seedlings. Seven days after nematode inoculation, the biological

agents were applied to the soil; 45 days later, incidence and severity

variables were evaluated. Based on the results obtained, it was

found that the strains of T. harzianum, T. asperellum, T. koningii,

and I. fumosorosea are ecient for the control of dierent stages of

the biological cycle of M. incognita.

*Corresponding author:jorge.leon@uttehuacan.edu.mx

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2-6

Resumen

El objetivo de la investigación fue determinar el potencial de

cepas de Trichoderma spp., Isaria fumosorosea e Isaria javanica

como agentes de biocontrol sobre Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid

y White) Chitwood, procedente de jitomate c.v. Saladette (Solanum

lycopersicum L.). Se utilizaron cepas de T. harzianum, T. viride,

T. koningii, T. asperellum y un aislado de Trichoderma sp., I.

fumosorosea e I. javanica, seleccionadas previamente por su alta

capacidad parasítica, antibiosis y adaptación a diversas condiciones

ambientales y sustratos. En los ensayos in vitro se evaluó el

parasitismo de los agentes de control biológico (un ltrado puro de

cada una de las cepas) sobre huevos, ootecas y juveniles (J-2) de M.

incognita. Las evaluaciones se realizaron con un microscopio óptico

con objetivo 40X a los 10 días y 72 horas respectivamente. El control

del nematodo en condiciones semicontroladas se llevó a cabo en el

área experimental utilizando bolsas de polietileno con capacidad

de 10 kg, inoculadas con aproximadamente 5.000 juveniles (J2) y

sembradas con plántulas de jitomate. A los siete días posteriores a

la inoculación del nematodo, se aplicaron los agentes biológicos al

suelo; 45 días después se evaluaron las variables de incidencia y

severidad. Con base en los resultados obtenidos, se obtuvo que las

cepas de T. harzianum, T. asperellum, T. koningii e I. fumosorosea

fueron ecientes para el control de M. incognita en diferentes etapas

del ciclo biológico.

Palabras clave: jitomate, parasitismo, Trichoderma spp., Isaria

fumosorosea, Isaria javanica.

Resumo

O objetivo da pesquisa foi determinar o potencial de cepas de

Trichoderma spp., Isaria fumosorosea e Isaria javanica como

agentes de biocontrole sobre Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid e White)

Chitwood, proveniente de tomate cv. Saladette (Solanum lycopersicum

L.). Foram utilizadas cepas de T. harzianum, T. viride, T. koningii,

T. asperellum e um isolado de Trichoderma sp., I. fumosorosea e I.

javanica, previamente selecionadas por sua alta capacidade parasítica,

antibiose e adaptação a diversas condições ambientais e substratos.

Nos ensaios in vitro, foi avaliado o parasitismo dos agentes de

controle biológico (um ltrado puro de cada uma das cepas) sobre

ovos, massas de ovos e juvenis (J2) de M. incognita. As avaliações

foram realizadas com microscópio óptico com objetiva de 40X,

aos 10 dias e 72 horas, respectivamente. O controle do nematoide

em condições semicontruladas foi realizado na área experimental

utilizando sacos de polietileno com capacidade de 10 kg, inoculados

com aproximadamente 5.000 juvenis (J2) e transplantados com mudas

de tomate. Sete dias após a inoculação do nematoide, os agentes

biológicos foram aplicados ao solo; 45 dias depois foram avaliadas

as variáveis de incidência e severidade. Com base nos resultados

obtidos, vericou-se que as cepas de T. harzianum, T. asperellum, T.

koningii e I. fumosorosea foram ecientes no controle de M. incognita

em diferentes estágios do seu ciclo biológico.

Palavras-chave: tomate, parasitismo, Trichoderma spp., Isaria

fumosorosea, Isaria javanica.

Introduction

The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most widely

consumed vegetables worldwide and has signicant economic value;

it ranks eleventh among the most widely produced crops globally.

Demand for tomatoes is increasing year on year, which has driven

their cultivation, production and marketing. In Mexico, 41,479.77 ha

were planted in 2022, yielding 2.9 million tonnes with an estimated

economic value of 14.759 billion pesos (Agri-Food and Fisheries

Information System [SIAP], 2024). The tomato exhibits a remarkable

ability to adapt to diverse climatic conditions and soil types, which

facilitates its establishment in dierent regions of the country.

However, in tropical countries, tomato cultivation is characterised

by a high incidence of plant-parasitic nematodes, which represent a

global threat to agricultural productivity (Sikora et al., 2018).

More than 4,100 species of plant-parasitic nematodes have

been documented, including cyst nematodes (Heterodera spp. and

Globodera spp.), lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) and root-

knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) (Nicol et al., 2011). In particular,

Meloidogyne species cause losses of between 20 and 33 %, aecting

more than 90 % of economically important crops, in both traditional

and protected production systems (Ayaz et al., 2024; Ning et al.,

2022). These nematodes invade the root system, disrupting the uptake

of water and nutrients, which signicantly reduces crop growth and

yield (Migunova and Sasanelli, 2021). Furthermore, they weaken

the plants’ defences, making them more susceptible to secondary

pathogens, and secrete eector proteins that disrupt the host’s defence

mechanisms (Ali et al., 2023).

The control of plant-parasitic nematodes has traditionally relied

on the use of chemical nematicides, due to their proven eectiveness.

However, in many countries their use has been restricted or even

banned, due to their negative eects on the environment, human

health and the depletion of the ozone layer. For this reason, it is

necessary to develop innovative control alternatives with low

environmental impact, such as biological nematicides, which are

low-cost, environmentally friendly and less harmful to the host. In

this context, evaluations have been conducted on microorganisms

that act directly or indirectly against nematodes through competition

for nutrients and niches, characterised by the production of lytic

enzymes, antibiotics and volatile toxic metabolites (Ayaz et al., 2024;

Migunova and Sasanelli, 2021).

Based on the above, the aim of this study was to evaluate the

potential of strains of Trichoderma, Isaria fumosorosea and Isaria

javanica as biocontrol agents against Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid

and White) Chitwood, isolated from tomato crops c.v. Saladette

(Solanum lycopersicum L.), through in vitro trials and under semi-

controlled conditions.

Materials and methods

Isolation of nematodes

Nematodes were isolated at the Microbiology Laboratory of the

Southern Technological University in the state of Morelos, Puente

de Ixtla municipality, Morelos, Mexico (18°36’51’’ N, 99°19’15’’ W,

900 m a.s.l.), from tomato plants (c.v. Saladette) exhibiting typical

symptoms of the disease and collected at random from dierent

locations in Morelos, Mexico. The samples collected in the eld

This scientic publication in digital format is a continuation of the Printed Review: Legal Deposit pp 196802ZU42, ISSN 0378-7818.

Pérez-González et al. Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2026, 43(2): e264327

3-6

were transported to the laboratory in polyethylene bags lined with

moistened Kraft paper to prevent desiccation and were stored at 16

°C until processing. The galls were washed with plenty of drinking

water and disinfected with 1 % sodium hypochlorite for 20 s; the

samples were then washed three times with sterile distilled water

until the sodium hypochlorite was removed. The oothecae were

obtained directly from the gall tissues, which were nely cut with

a scalpel. The eggs were obtained by blending fragments (15) of

diseased root tissue, 1–2 cm in length, for 30 s in a 0.5 % sodium

hypochlorite solution diluted 1:10 with distilled water. Subsequently,

the homogenised tissue was passed through 200 and 500 mesh sieves,

with the contents of the second sieve collected in a 500 mL beaker

and counted on a counting plate until a concentration of 100 eggs.

-1

was reached (Vrain, 1977).

The eggs and second-instar (J2) larvae of M. incognita were

obtained from the roots of infected plants using the maceration and

ltration method (Hooper et al., 2005). To do this, 25 g of roots

were placed in 200 mL of water and blended for 30 seconds. The

suspension was decanted through 200- and 325-mesh sieves and then

transferred to a separating funnel. After 48 h of standing, 20 mL of

the solution was extracted; from this volume, 3 mL was analysed on

a watch glass. The presence of J2 was quantied (ve counts) under

an optical microscope with a 40X objective (LABOMED, Inc., USA).

In vitro parasitic eect of biological agents on Meloidogyne

incognita

For the mycoparasitism trials, biological agents from the strain

collection of the Southern Technological University in the state of

Morelos, Puente de Ixtla municipality, Morelos, Mexico, were used.

The fungi were cultured (two passages) in Petri dishes (90 mm)

containing potato dextrose agar (PDA; BD Bioxon) for ve days for

Trichoderma spp. and seven days for I. javanica and I. fumosorosea,

respectively. The dishes were sealed with Paralm

and incubated at

26 °C. From the colonies developed previously, conidial suspensions

of each agent to be evaluated were prepared under aseptic conditions

in a laminar ow cabinet (Biobase, BKCB-H1500, China). To do this,

10 mL of sterile distilled water was added to each individual colony,

and the mycelium was detached using a Drigalski spatula to obtain a

conidial suspension, which was homogenised at 1,800 rpm for 60 s

in a vortex mixer (IKA Vortex 2, Germany). The concentration was

adjusted to 10⁷ CFU.mL⁻¹ using a Neubauer chamber (Marienfeld,

Germany).

To assess the eect of dierent species of Trichoderma and Isaria

on nematode eggs and oothecae, 96 well microtitre plates were used.

The experiments were set up using a completely randomised design,

with seven treatments corresponding to the dierent microorganisms

evaluated and one control treatment. Each treatment had four

replicates, with each well considered as an experimental unit. To each

well, 200 µL of a conidial suspension adjusted to a concentration of

1×10⁷ CFU.mL⁻¹ of the microorganism under evaluation was added

(Siddiqui and Mahmood, 1999). The control treatment consisted

of the addition of 200 µL of sterile distilled water. Subsequently,

ve oothecae and 20 eggs per well were added to each treatment

(Hussey and Barker, 1973). The plates were sealed with Paralm and

incubated at 26 °C for 10 d. Once the incubation period was complete,

the eect of the treatments on the eggs and oothecae was assessed.

The structures were collected separately and placed on microscope

slides for observation of parasitism (Sharon et al., 2001), using an

optical microscope (40X).

To determine the eect of biological agents on the J2 larval stage of

M. incognita, 10 larvae were placed in each well, with four replicates

per treatment (Hussey and Barker, 1973). Subsequently, 200 µL of

a conidial suspension of each strain, adjusted to a concentration of

1×10⁷ CFU.mL⁻¹, was added. After 72 h of exposure, the juveniles

from each treatment were removed and transferred to a new plate

containing 200 µL of sterile distilled water for 48 h. Dead juveniles

were collected and mounted on slides for observation under an optical

microscope (40X) to verify the presence of parasitism (Sharon et al.,

2001). In both trials, visual evidence was obtained using a digital

camera (20 MP) (Canon

PowerShot ELPH 180 8X, Japan).

To determine the most eective agents for nematode control,

the data were transformed by √x+1. Means were compared using

Fisher’s least signicant dierence (LSD) test, with a signicance

level (p≤0.05), using the InfoStat Professional version 2.1 statistical

package (Di-Rienzo et al., 2017).

In order to validate their ecacy under semi-controlled or

greenhouse conditions, the strains evaluated in vitro that demonstrated

the greatest parasitism capacity against Meloidogyne incognita were

selected.

Eect of selected biological agents on M. incognita under

semi-controlled conditions

The experiment was carried out in a shade house at the Southern

Technological University in the state of Morelos, Puente de Ixtla,

Morelos, Mexico. During the vegetative phase of the tomato crop (cv.

Saladette), average temperatures of 25 °C during the day and 17 °C

at night were recorded, with relative humidity of 65 %; these climatic

conditions were suitable both for the crop and for the activity of the

biological agents under evaluation (Lewis and Papavizas, 1983).

The seedlings were grown in polystyrene trays (lightweight,

insulating containers made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) with 200

cells, commonly used in agriculture for germinating seeds). Two

seeds were sown per cell, which was covered with a 1 cm layer of

growing medium consisting of Sphagnum peat moss and organic

matter in a 3:1 (w:w) ratio, previously sterilised in an autoclave. The

trays were placed in the experimental area and watered every third

day until the seedlings emerged. After emergence (15 days), when

the seedlings reached 15 cm in height, they were transplanted into 10

kg polyethylene bags (30 × 32 cm), containing a mixture of soil, peat

moss and organic matter (cow manure) in a 2:1:1 ratio. The substrate

was rst sterilised in an autoclave (120 °C for 30 m, followed by two

consecutive cycles with a 24 h interval) and subsequently disinfected

with potassium soap. Additionally, the soil was covered with a dark

cloth to aid the disinfection process. Watering was carried out every

other day.

Seven days after transplanting, the pots were inoculated with

2,500 ± 10 second-stage (J2) juveniles of M. incognita, equivalent to

2.5 J2 per gram of soil (Sikora et al., 2018). Seven days after nematode

inoculation, conidial suspensions of the selected biological agents,

adjusted to a concentration of 1×10⁷ conidia.mL⁻¹, were applied at a

rate of 100 mL per bag. Prior to application, three drops of Tween 20

were added to each suspension to improve inoculum dispersion.

The strains used in each treatment were previously cultured in 90

mm diameter Petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar (PDA; BD

Bioxon) and incubated at 26 °C for 10 days until full colony growth

and spore maturation were achieved. Conidial suspensions were

prepared in a laminar ow cabinet from the developed colonies; to do

this, 10 mL of sterile distilled water was added to each colony and the

mycelium was scraped o using a metal spatula. Subsequently, the

This scientic publication in digital format is a continuation of the Printed Review: Legal Deposit pp 196802ZU42, ISSN 0378-7818.

Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2026, 43(2): e264327 April-June ISSN 2477-9409.

4-6 |

suspensions were homogenised using a vortex mixer and quantied

using a Neubauer chamber.

The experiment was set up using a completely randomised

design, with eight replicates (bags) per treatment, resulting in a

total of 56 plants in the experimental area. The treatments evaluated

were: 1) Trichoderma harzianum; 2) Trichoderma koningii; 3) Isaria

fumosorosea; 4) Trichoderma sp.; 5) Trichoderma asperellum;

6) T-combination (consortium of T. koningii + T. harzianum + T.

asperellum + I. fumosorosea); and 7) absolute control, consisting of

tomato plants (cv. Saladette) inoculated solely with M. incognita and

without the application of biological agents. Incidence and severity

were determined 45 days after transplanting.

Incidence

The number of plants aected by the nematode was determined

according to the formula;

X 100

Incidence =

Severity was determined by assessing the galls index (GI). To

do this, the Saladette cultivar tomato plants were removed from the

bags without damaging the root system. The roots were then washed,

and the percentage of Meloidogyne infection (root surface aected

by galls) was assessed macroscopically, using the severity scale

proposed by Taylor and Sasser (1978), as shown in gure 1.

0= 0 % 1= 1-15 % 2= 16-25 % 3= 26-50 % 4= 51-75 % 5= 76 -100 %

Figure 1. Severity scale according to Taylor and Sasser (1978).

Percentage of root surface area aected by galls caused by

M. incognita.

To determine the most eective microorganisms for controlling

the nematodes, the incidence data were transformed using the formula

√x+1. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed and

the means were compared using Fisher’s least signicant dierence

(LSD) test (p≤0.05) using the InfoStat Professional version 2.1

statistical package (Di-Rienzo et al., 2017).

Results and discussion

Identication of Meloidogyne incognita

Morphological characteristics of females and males

The isolated nematodes exhibited certain characteristics that

allowed them to be identied as M. incognita. The females were

hyaline, pear-shaped to rounded. The stylet was cone-shaped, curved

towards the dorsal side, with the widest part at the base and broad, at

nodules. The males were liform, with a robust stylet and two rings in

the cephalic region; the anterior part of the stylet was ‘paddle’-shaped

with a blunt tip; the basal nodules were at and rounded, with a slight

separation from the body (Eisenback et al., 1981) (Figures 2A and B).

Figure 2. Morphological characteristics of adult Meloidogyne

incognita. A) Males and B) Females.

The eggs appeared small, translucent to slightly yellowish and oval

in shape (Figure 3A) when observed directly from the galls produced

on the roots during the nal stages of development (Calderón-Urrea

et al., 2016). Oothecae were observed clustered in a mucilaginous

matrix (Figure 3B) on the outside of the host plant’s roots, in direct

contact with the soil (Subedi et al., 2020). The presence of these

oothecae on the roots is evidence of infection by M. incognita and

can be used for the diagnosis of the disease.

Figure 3. Eggs (A) and oothecae (B) of Meloidogyne incognita.

Note the gelatinous mass covering the eggs (B).

The life cycle comprises four larval stages. The rst stage

develops inside the egg (Figure 4A). Of the remaining stages, only the

second stage can be found in the soil; the third and fourth stages (like

the female) are strict endoparasites of roots; these are visible in the

samples (Figure 4B). These characteristics resemble those described

by Martínez-Gallardo et al. (2019) for the species M. incognita.

Figure 4. Larval stages of Meloidogyne incognita. A) Juvenile in an

unhatched egg; B) Hatched juvenile.

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5-6 |

In vitro parasitic eect of biological agents on Meloidogyne

incognita

In general, microscopic examination revealed that all strains

exhibited parasitic activity against the various stages of the nematode

(Figure 5A, B and C).

Figure 5. Parasitism of Trichoderma against the dierent life

stages of Meloidogyne incognita. A) Parasitism on eggs,

B) Parasitism on oothecae and C) Parasitism of infective

J2 juveniles.

Regarding the eggs of M. incognita, all strains and the

Trichoderma isolate exhibited high parasitic activity (Table 1), except

for T. asperellum and I. javanica.

Table 1. In vitro parasitism of Trichoderma spp. and Isaria spp.

strains on Meloidogyne incognita isolated from tomato

plants plants c.v. Saladette (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Amacuzac municipality, Morelos, Mexico.

Treatment Eggs Oothecs J2 Adult

T. koningii 9.80

9.79

9.26

T. harzianum 9.66

9.79

1.00

T. sp 9.53

8.97

2.79

T. viride 8.85

9.53

6.30

I. fumosorosea 8.25

8.32

9.23

T. asperellum 1.00

7.76

9.23

I. javanica 1.00

1.00

Control 1.00

1.00

CV 6.57 11.10 19.97

DMS 1.03732 2.01042 2.54438

Means with the same letter in the same column are not signicantly dierent according to

Fisher’s LSD test (p ≤ 0.01). T: Trichoderma, I: Isaria, CV: coecient of variation, LSD: least

signicant dierence. MSD: minimum signicant dierence.

These strains caused disruption to the internal contents of the

eggs and exhibited mycelial growth and spores (T. harzianum) within

them, an event indicating that the fungus had penetrated the egg

(secretion of extracellular enzymes by the fungi) and that the embryos

had died. Regarding the oothecae, the strains T. koningii and T.

harzianum showed superior results to T. asperellum and I. javanica,

with no statistical dierences compared to the treatments T. viride, I.

fumosorosea and Trichoderma sp. Meanwhile, regarding J2 juveniles,

the best results were obtained with T. koningii, I. fumosorosea and T.

asperellum, with no dierences between them, but with dierences

compared to the other treatments.

It has been reported that some species of the genus Trichoderma

are capable of parasitising eggs and second-stage juveniles (J2) of

root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) (Druzhinina et al., 2011;

Herrera-Parra et al., 2018; Mukhtar et al., 2021). Infection of the eggs

by strains of Trichoderma spp. is possible due to increased activity of

enzymes such as chitinases, proteases and lipases when the fungus

comes into contact with the eggs or juveniles (Sahebani and Hadavi,

2008); this destroys the egg shell and allows penetration. Sharon

et al. (2007) demonstrated that the gelatinous matrix in which the

eggs are laid promotes the attraction of the fungus and enhances the

parasitic capabilities of numerous Trichoderma isolates, which utilise

this matrix as a nutrient source. Benedetti et al. (2021) reduced the

number of eggs by 50 % through the use of Trichoderma spp. Al-Ani

et al. (2022) and Blanco et al. (2024) demonstrated that Paecilomyces

lilacinus is a facultative parasite of eggs from a wide range of plant-

parasitic nematodes, as well as attacking cysts and adult females.

Based on the results obtained, I. javanica was not considered for

subsequent experiments, due to the absence of a signicant eect on

the variables evaluated.

Eect of selected biological agents on M. incognita under

semi-controlled conditions

Incidence

During the evaluation period, symptoms of the disease were

observed, characterised by slight yellowing of the leaves, accompanied

by reduced growth, as well as a subsequent delay in the owering of

the crop. At the time of sampling, the incidence ranged from 15 to

100 %, with T-combined, T. harzianum, T. koningii and I. fumorosea

being the treatments with the lowest incidence, with no statistical

dierences between them. However, the control plants were found to

be completely aected (Table 2).

Table 2. Eect of fungal strains on the incidence and severity of

M. incognita in tomato seedlings of the c.v. ‘Saladette’

(Solanum lycopersicum L.), Amacuzac municipality,

Morelos, Mexico.

Treatment Incidence Severity (%) Grade

T. harzianum 2.16

1.49

T. koningii 3.05

1.78

I. fumosorosea 3.05

2.03

T. sp 4.51

2.72

T. asperellum 6.38

4.04

T- combinado 1.80

1.00

Control 9.79

8.18

CV 23.33 16.50 -

DMS 1.67226 0.82676 -

Means with the same letter in the same column are not signicantly dierent according

to Fisher’s LSD test (p ≤ 0.01), CV: coecient of variation; MSD: minimum signicant

dierence.

Severity

Severity ratings for the dierent treatments ranged from 0 to

2, with the lowest severity ratings (grade 1) obtained with the T.

combined treatment and the T. harzianum strain, showing no statistical

dierences compared with T. koningii and I. fumosorosea, in which

the plant exhibited slight galls. However, T. sp. and T. asperellum

showed dierences compared to these three strains; although they did

not exceed severity grade 1 either. All treatments showed dierences

compared to the control (Table 2).

Trichoderma species are widely distributed in soil and possess

parasitic and antibiotic properties. Their metabolic capacity and

their ability to compete for space and nutrients in the wild make

them highly eective in agricultural applications (Harman, 2024).

Through the combined use of Trichoderma strains selected in vitro,

a minimal percentage of galls was observed on the plants. Kredics

et al. (2024) note that the control eect is greater when consortia of

microorganisms of the same or dierent species are applied, as they

can broaden the range of pathogen control. Furthermore, Moo et al.

(2018) demonstrated that mixtures of dierent species of the genus

Trichoderma reduced the severity of M. incognita on the roots of S.

This scientic publication in digital format is a continuation of the Printed Review: Legal Deposit pp 196802ZU42, ISSN 0378-7818.

Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2026, 43(2): e264327 April-June ISSN 2477-9409.

6-6 |

lycopersicum by more than 80 %, as well as decreasing the number of

eggs and reducing the number of females by more than 90 %.

Conclusions

The results of the in vitro and semi-controlled eld trials suggest

that, in protected vegetable production, the combined use of the strains

studied (T. harzianum, T. asperellum, T. koningii and I. fumosorosea)

and of the individual strains of T. harzianum, T. koningii and I.

fumosorosea is eective in controlling the dierent stages of the life

cycle of M. incognita.

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