MICROBIAL BIOCONTROL OF MELOIDOGYNE INCOGNITA IN BANANA PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING BACTERIA FROM ARACHIS HYPOGAEA SOIL AS A NOVEL AGENT

Banana is one of the most important food and cash crops in India and around the world. Plant-parasitic nematodes pose a significant threat to banana production and, consequently, food security. Among these, Meloidogyne species are the primary nematodes associated with banana plants in the Thrissur districts Kerala. In this study, we investigated the nematocidal activity of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria against Meloidogyne infections in banana plants. We isolated these bacteria from soil samples of Arachis hypogaea. The morphological and biochemical characteristics of the phosphate-solubilizing bacteria were analyzed. Additionally, molecular identification was performed using 16S rRNA sequencing. The results indicated that the phosphate-solubilizing bacteria were effective in inhibiting Meloidogyne infections in banana plants.