TrichoNema: A Trichoderma-based project to develop a commercial bio-agent product against phyto-nematodes

In the frame of the TrichoNema (EU, Marie Curie) project, several Trichoderma species and isolates have been tested against plant-parasitic nematodes. The main targets are the root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica, which are polyphagous sedentary-endoparasitic species, damaging worldwide. Biocontrol pot experiments are conducted mainly with T. hamatum-382 and a T. asperellum isolate, in nematode-inoculated sandy soil and potting-mixes, with vegetable and ornamental hosts, respectively. This report will focused on rnamental plants. Following screening of several hosts for their nematode sensitivity and growth enhancement by the fungi, Begonia and Impatiens have been chosen as the main model ornamental hosts. Trichoderma peat-wheat bran (fresh or dry) preparations were applied into the potting-mixes pre-planting, with or without pre-colonization of seedlings with the fungi. Trichoderma treatments reduced root galling and nematode reproduction, and plants growth was improved; treatments of seedlings usually enhanced the biocontrol activity. The Trichoderma preparations were applied also to soils naturally-infested with other polyphagous plant-parasitic nematodes: Pratylenchus penetrans (migratory endo-parasite), Rotylenchus robustus (ecto-parasite) and Paratylenchus projectus (ecto-parasite), planted with lettuce. Trichoderma treatments reduced the populations of the parasitic nematodes in soils from the pot experiments. Both Trichoderma species showed the ability to control several plant-parasitic nematodes. Fungal formulations are further tested with various application approaches, in order to define the most efficient methods for implementation of the biocontrol agents. Modes of action of these species are studied, aiming to improve their activity against plant-parasitic nematodes.