Application forms and mode of action of biocontroller in the management of Meloidogyne incognita in tomato

ABSTRACT Mixture of antagonist agents and form of application may influence in the control of root-knot nematodes. Thus, the aim of this work was to study the action of a biological product based on enzyme mixtures, Bacillus sp. and Trichoderma sp., at different concentrations on hatching, motility, mortality and reproduction of Meloidogyne incognita in tomato, considering two ways of application of the product. Eggs and second-stage juveniles (J2) of M. incognita were placed in biological product solutions at concentrations: 0, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 g L-1. The same concentrations were applied to planting pits or to the soil surface. Afterwards, 3,692 eggs of M. incognita were inoculated in tomato crop. A significant reduction in J2 hatching of M. incognita J2 was observed in the highest concentrations and higher mortality of J2 from concentration of 5 g L-1. The interaction between concentrations and form of application of the product significantly influenced the infectivity and reproduction of M. incognita. Greater root system mass was obtained by applying the biological product to the surface, regardless of concentration.