Potential Effects of Nematophagous Fungi Against Meloidogyne javanica Infection of Tomato Plants Under in vitro and in vivo Conditions

The root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne javanica is one of the most economically important plant pathogens. Due to the high toxicity of chemical nematicides, the use of nematophagous fungi represents a promising alternative in nematode management. These biological agents offer a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to controlling plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs). The present study aimed to isolate and evaluate the nematicidal activity of three nematophagous fungi, viz., Paraconiothyrium cyclothyrioides, Aspergillus oryzae, and Lecanicillium psalliotae, against M. javanica under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Three densities (1 × 106, 1 × 107, and 1 × 108 spores/ml) of each fungus were used. In vitro, the results revealed that all the tested isolates were effective at inhibiting egg hatching and mortality in second juveniles (J2s). However, the mortality of J2s and hatching inhibition of eggs were proportional to the fungal concentration and duration of the exposure period. Among the isolates, A. oryzae at a concentration of 1 × 108 spores/ml had the highest percentage of egg-hatching inhibition (95.5