BIOFUMIGATION WITH WINTER BRASSICA SPECIES SUPPRESSES THE ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE AND INCREASES THE TOMATO YIELD

Root-knot nematodes (RKN) are responsible for significant crop losses in vegetables worldwide and are ex- tremely difficult to control. Biofumigation is one of the most important alternatives that can be used to manage RKN. This study aimed to investigate the effects of biofumigation of winter brassica species on RKN and the yield of tomatoes. Six different brassicas and nematode-susceptible spinach plants as control from winter crops were used in trials in 2 greenhouses heavily infested with Meloidogyne arenaria. After Brassica species were grown until the flowering period, they were mixed into the soil and covered with polyethylene plastic film. At the end of one month, the gall index, female, and total nematode populations in the roots were determined, and nematode-susceptible tomato seedlings were planted in all plots. Each plot’s RKN population in the soil was counted monthly. At the tomato harvest, the growth parameters of the plants were determined, the tomato roots were evaluated using a 0-5 gal index, and the tomato yield was recorded. The soil’s RKN population was lower in arugula, redhead (RHR), and whitehead radish (WHR) cultivated plots than in the others. The gall indexes of tomatoes after growing RHR and WHR were 2.25 and 2.50 for arugula but 4.80 for spinach. Tomato yield in the plots where RHR, turnip, and WHR were grown previously increased by 249%, 200%, and 174%, respectively. Brassica species positively impact tomato plant growth and yield and can suggest biofumigation with arugula, RHR, and WHR for root-knot nematode-infected areas. Key Words: Root-knot nematodes; Brassica spp.; biofumigation; tomato yield.