EFFECT OF PLANT GROWTH-PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA ON PLANT PARASITIC NEMATODES INFECTING BANANA, Musa SPP. IN SOME SPECIFIC FARMS IN SHARKIA GOVERNORATE

Abstract

The banana (Musa spp.) is one of the main economically important crops worldwide. Currently, it faces a serious problem of yield production caused by plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs). Traditional nematicides methods are being classical main option in controlling. However, investors are searching for more sustainable and active substitutes with restricted side effects on the environment and human to face increased food demand. This paper focuses on PPNs infected banana plants by studying nematode ecology and their distribution in soil under field conditions. Moreover, efficacy of Plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as eco-friendly against PPNs particularly Meloidogyne incognita and banana seedlings crop yield under field conditions. From current ecology studies, five genera of true plant parasites and suspected parasites with less economic importance nematodes were extracted from soil samples and root samples of banana plants (Musa spp.) cv. Grand Nain. Meloidogyne spp., Helicotylenchus sp. and Pratylenchus sp. were the most destructive nematode species. At application rate of 20 L/feddan in banana fields infected with M. incognita at long- time intervals post utilization, Pseudomonas fluorescens showed the greatest effect in reduction of M.incognita populations density in comparison with other PGPR species. On the other hand, Bacillus thuringiensis exhibited the least effect in reduction of M.incognita population's density after 35 and 50-days post application. Moreover, maximum increase in number free living (FLNs) and predaceous nematode (PNs) populations was obtained at the same time. In conclusion, our work revealed a high potential of plant PGPR in increasing crop yield by compact of plant parasitic nematodes numbers and could be a potential bio-control against PPNs infected fields of banana seedlings.