Studies on the efficacy of Paecilomyces lilacinus as biocontrol agent against a disease complex caused by the interaction of Rotylenchulus reniformis, Meloidogyne incognita and Rhizoctonia solani on cowpea

Abstract

For several years there has been considerable interest in the use of soil fungi that parasitize the females and eggs of certain nematodes Gatala et al., 1979; Mankau, 1980; Tribe, 1980; Harman et al., 1981). Jatala et al. (1979) reported on the efficacy of Paecilomyces lilacinus (Thoms) Samsom against Globodera pallida and Meloidogyne incognita acrita and later G atala, 1985) on its efficacy against different nematodes (Globodera rostochiensis, Radopholus similis, Tylenchulus semipenetrans) on various crops. As there are no reports on the use of P. lilacinus in a disease complex we have evaluated its potentiality in one involving Rotylenchulus reni/ormis (Linford et Oliveira); Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid et White) Chitwood and Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn on cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.