Assessment of biocontrol efficacy of five species of nematode‐trapping fungi for bio‐management of Meloidogyne incognita on tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L .) in pot and microplot field conditions

Abstract BACKGROUND Meloidogyne incognita is the most damaging nematode pest globally causing root‐knot diseases in crops. Nematode trapping fungi (NTFs) is a group of microfungi that form traps to capture and parasitize the nematodes, including M. incognita . The easiest way to use NTFs is introduction of nematophagous and soil‐adoptive strains in nematode‐infested soil. This study mainly focused on efficacy test of five species of NTFs against M. incognita on tomato under pot and microplot field conditions. RESULTS In vitro nematophagous potential assays of NTFs showed 99.3% and 97.9% killing of M. incognita (J 2 s) by Drechslerella dactyloides and D. brochopaga , respectively, within 120 h. Pea bran substrate supported maximum sporulation, particularly in D. dactyloides . A bio‐efficacy test of D. dactyloides showed reduction in numbers of root‐knots and eggs/J 2 s per plant by 70.8% and 74.1% in pot conditions, and by 66.0% and 70.3% in microplot conditions, respectively, whereas D. brochopaga reduced the number of root‐knots and eggs/J 2 s per plant by 68.3% and 72% in pots, and 64.6% and 68.1.% in microplots. Athrobotrys oligospora , A. musiformis and A. conoides showed moderate‐to‐low efficacy against M. incognita in pot and microplot conditions. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates better bio‐eficacy of D. dactyloides and D. brochopaga against M. incognita on tomato under pot and microplot conditions, in comparison to A. oligospora , A. musiformis and A. conoides . Our results also advocate that soil application of D. dactyloides and D. brochopaga individually or in consortia could be environmentally safe and effective strategies for biocontrol of M. incognita . © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.