A New Biological Product Shows Promising Control of the Northern Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne hapla, in Greenhouse Tomatoes

Abstract

Tomato plants are susceptible to significant yield losses when infested by the northern root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne hapla. While there are many options for conventional chemical management, few of these options offer effective control for organic growers or those who seek to adopt more environmentally considerate strategies. In this study, we showed that a new, biologically based product (referred to as “MN21.2”) has potential for controlling populations of the northern root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne hapla, as a pest of susceptible tomato (cv. Rutgers) in a greenhouse trial. This is significant because if this product’s efficacy is supported under field conditions, it may provide organic tomato growers with a valuable tool for fighting the plant-parasitic nematode pest, M. hapla.