Effects of rhizobacteria on parasitism by Meloidogyne ethiopica on grapevines

Meloidogyne ethiopica is one of the most important plant-parasitic nematodes affecting vines in Chile and is very aggressive and difficult to control. This study evaluated 16 strains of rhizobacteria, originally isolated from roots of grapevines, for their effects on parasitism and nematode damage to potted vine plants. The antagonistic effect of rhizobacteria was assessed by treating 2-month-old plants of cv. Chardonnay in 3-l pots with a suspension containing 1 x 10(6) cfu ml(-1) of the bacteria and 1,000 nematode eggs. After 6 months of growth, the plants were cut and root and canopy weights, nematode populations and root damage determined. The effect of rhizobacterial culture filtrate on hatching of nematode eggs was also assessed in vitro. Seven strains of rhizobacteria proved effective in inhibiting damage or reproduction of the nematode. These were strains of Serratia marcescens, Comamonas acidovorans, Pantoea agglomerans, Sphingobacterium spiritivorum, Bacillus mycoides, Alcaligenes piechaudii and Serratia plymuthica. A further three strains, of Bacillus megaterium, P. agglomerans and Pseudomonas savastanoi, significantly increased root weight, but did not decrease nematode damage or population density. The supernatant of all strains significantly decreased hatching of juvenile nematodes after 24 h of immersion, with isolates of P. putida and B. megaterium being the most effective.