The influence of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alone or in combination with Meloidogyne incognita on Hyoscyamus niger L.

Three vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi; Glomus aggregatum, Glom us fasciculatum and Glomus mosseae were evaluated for protecting against th e reproduction and infection potential of Meloidogyne incognita on black he nbane, Hyoscyamus niger. Different VAM fungi enhanced the growth and biomas s of the plant. The results also indicated that treatments of plants with V AM fungi increased fresh and dry root and shoot weight and decreased M. inc ognita populations in both soil and roots in pot experiments. A significant reduction in M. incognita reproduction potential (Rf = 4.4) was observed w hen G. aggregatum was used. Treatment with G. aggregatum alone yielded the highest mycorrhizal infection (88%) followed by G. aggregatum + M. incognit a (75%), G. mosseae (69%), G. fasciculatum (57%), G. Mosseae + M. Incognita (53%) and G. fasciculatum + M. incognita (45%). A similar trend was also o bserved in the multiplication of VAM spores in soil. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scie nce Ltd. All rights reserved.