Biological Management of the Root-knot Nematode on Strawberry in Egypt

The effect of commercial biocontrol products viz. Nemakill, Nemaless, Micronema aswell as an Egyptian entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) strain of Heterorhabditisbacteriophora-infective juveniles (IJs) within either cadavers of Galleria mellonellalast instar larvae or EPN-IJs in water suspension, compared to chemical nematicidesof Nema Plus Zero and Oxamyl on Meloidogyne incognita developmental parameters,strawberry growth and yield and rhizosphere microbial community were determinedin two separated field experiments. Six months after strawberry transplanting, 30-88%reduction in nematode juveniles (J2) in soil was achieved by Nemakill, Nemaless andMicronema, while reduction range was 37-64% by EPNs compared to 64-73%, bychemicals. The commercial products followed by EPNs significantly reduced thenumbers of M. incognita-J2, galls, and egg masses in strawberry roots. All treatmentsenhanced strawberry growth and yield parameters. Nemakill followed by EPNs inwater and within insect gave best fruit yield of strawberry cv. Festival. Nemalessfollowed by Nemakill and Micronema gave best fruit yield of strawberry cv. Fertona.Effect of tested treatments on rhizosphere microbial community and mycoflorafrequency in treated strawberry plants was presented and discussed.