Assessment of Germination, Trap Formation and Nematophagous Activities of Nematode-trapping Fungi in Response to Soil Fungistasis

Abstract

Soil Fungistasis in is a widespread phenomenon affecting germination of most fungal propagules in soils. This study focused on the isolation and identification of nematode-trapping fungi from soils in Uttar Pradesh, India. Five species of nematode-trapping fungi were isolated and identified: Arthrobotrys oligospora, A. musiformis, A. conoides, Drechslerella brochopaga, and D. dactyloides. These fungi were found to capture and kill nematodes under laboratory conditions. The study also evaluated the fungistatic effects of rhizospheric soils on spore germination, trap formation and nematode- trapping ability of these fungi. Results showed that the soils had a low fungistatic effect on conidial germination of Arthrobotrys conoides, A. musiformis, and A. oligospora ranging from 94.6% to 96.61%, whereas the conidia of D. brochopaga and D. dactyloides frequently formed conidial traps at a higher frequency 90.09-95.77%, with trapping of nearby nematodes by the conidial traps. These nematode-trapping fungi have the ability to germinate, proliferate and trap the nematodes in soils, making them promising tools for biological control of plant-parasitic nematodes.