Application of PSX biocontrol preparation confers root-knot nematode management and increased fruit quality in tomato under field conditions

ABSTRACT

PSX is a combination of biocontrol bacteria that can potentially prevent and control soil-borne diseases for a variety of crop cultivars. In this study, we investigated the utility of PSX in controlling root-knot nematodes in tomato under field conditions. The application of PSX reduced the severity of disease caused from Meloidogyne incognita by 63–69% and increased tomato yield by 31.5–39%. Furthermore, to investigate the effect of PSX treatment on tomato fruit quality, we quantified the soluble sugar, titratable acid, soluble solids, and vitamin C contents in fruit postharvest. We demonstrated that PSX treatment improved tomato fruit quality. Finally, we also showed that the total nitrogen (N), available N, potassium, and organic matter contents in the soil increased after PSX treatment. PSX is a promising biocontrol preparation that can provide beneficial effects to tomato growers, including biological control of root-knot disease, plant growth promotion, enhanced tomato fruit quality, and increased levels of organic fertilisers in the soil.

KEYWORDS:

• PSX combination
• organic fertiliser
• tomato
• root-knot nematode
• biological control

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [31171809] and Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest [201103018].