Effect of Bacillus subtilis on Meloidogyne javanica and on Tomato Growth Promotion

Objective: To evaluate under controlled conditions the effect of alternative liquid Bacillus subtilis isolate 34 formulation on Meloidogyne javanica and tomato growth promotion.

Statistical Design: The design was completely randomized block with five treatments and eight replicates. The results were submitted to the analysis of variance and the averages compared by the Tukey test with 5% error probability. The statistical package used in the analysis of the data was the program "Sisvar"

Location and Duration of the Experiment: The experiment was set up during the period from February 13, 2018 to April 20, 2018 in greenhouse located at the State University of Montes Claros, municipality of Janaúba, MG, Brazil.

Methods: Treatments consisted of different times of application of bacteria in tomato seedlings: application of bacteria in the tube at eight and fifteen days after emergence; application of bacteria in the tube at eight and fifteen days after emergence and in pots at 25 and 35 days after transplanting; application of bacteria at 25 and 35 days after transplantation in the pot; Onix® commercial product (Bacillus methylotrophicus-UFPEDA20) and control. After 60 days of transplanting, the number of egg masses, number of galls, number of eggs, number of second-stage juveniles (J2) and reproduction factor, height, fresh and dry shoot mass and fresh root mass of tomato plants were evaluated.

Results: There was a reduction in the number of J2, eggs pre root, and eggs per gram of root when the bacteria formulation was applied in the tube + pot and in pot only. The application of the bacteria in the tube + pot and in only pot only presents the highest increase of fresh and dry shoot mass and fresh root mass.

Conclusion: The application of the liquid B. subtilis isolated 34 formulation to the soil in the pot and tube + pot reduced the reproduction of M. javanica and promoted greater tomato development.