Efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum Rifai Strain T22 Based Bioproduct on Meloidogyne incognita Reproduction and Plant Parameters

The root-knot nematode (RKN), Meloidogyne incognita is one of the most widespread and economically damaging plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs). Due to the environmental drawbacks of synthetic nematicides, biological control agents offer a more sustainable alternative for nematode management. The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a bioproduct derived from Trichoderma harzianum Rifai Strain T22 in controlling M. incognita in tomato plants, utilising varying doses (30 g da-1, 40 g da-1, 50 g da-1). Additionally, the impact of this bioproduct on tomato development was examined. Abamectin treatment demonstrated the highest efficacy, achieving reductions of 67.28% in the root-gall index, 89.85% in the population of second-stage juveniles (J2), and 81.28% in the number of egg masses, resulting in a reproduction factor (RF) of 0.83. The bioproduct at a dosage of 50 g da⁻¹ resulted in a 30.17% reduction in the root-gall index, a 43.28% reduction in the population of J2, a 37.26% reduction in egg masses, and a RF of 4.65. In contrast, the bioproduct at 30 g da⁻¹ was less effective, yielding reductions of 11.47% in the root-gall index, 22.76% in J2, 16.83% in egg masses, and an RF of 6.33, respectively. The bioproduct applications also significantly enhanced tomato growth, resulting in the highest increases of 22.73% in shoot length, 45.19% in root length, and 19.80% in shoot weight at a rate of 50 g da⁻¹. In conclusion, T. harzianum-based bioproducts are effective for the integrated management of M. incognita, but future research should focus on optimising doses and testing different treatment combinations to further improve efficacy.