Formulation of bionematicides based on bacteria for the control of the lesion nematode in common bean

Abstract

Bacteria belonging to the genus Bacillus can promote plant growth and suppress plant-parasitic nematode populations. Based on this hypothesis, eight strains of the bacterium (SF 262, SF 264, SF 266, SF 267, SF 268, SF 271, SF 292 and SF 629) were formulated and applied as a seed treatment and/or sprayed on the soil surface with the aim of controlling Pratylenchys brachyurus in common bean under field conditions. The application of the bacterial isolates neither improved the grain yield and the root mass nor reduced the number of nematodes in the soil and in the roots of common bean. Thus none of the isolates of Bacillus spp. evaluated in this work are promising for the control of the lesion nematode on common bean.