TOMATO GROWTH REDUCTION CAUSED BY MELOIDOGYNE PARANAENSIS AND ITS BIOLOGICAL CONTROL BY FUNGAL AGENTS UNDER GREENHOUSE CONDITIONS

Abstract

Meloidogyne paranaensis is recognized as one of the most aggressive root-knot nematode species affecting coffee crops in Brazil; however, quantitative assessments of its impact on alternative susceptible hosts and evaluations of biological control agents against this species remain limited. Although tomato is widely used as a standard host for M. paranaensis assays, few studies have integrated nematological parameters with measurable agronomic damage. This study aimed to quantify the effects of M. paranaensis on tomato growth and to evaluate the efficacy of different fungal biological control agents under greenhouse conditions. Two independent experiments were conducted to assess tomato growth parameters and nematode population dynamics, including the reproduction factor (RF) and the ratio between final population and root fresh mass (Pf/RFM). M. paranaensis caused significant reductions in shoot height and shoot dry mass, demonstrating that its successful reproduction was accompanied by measurable damage to plant growth. Among the evaluated fungi, Purpureocillium lilacinum, Trichoderma harzianum, and Metarhizium anisopliae isolate Ma04 consistently reduced nematode reproduction and maintained low Pf/RFM values, demonstrating effective bionematicidal effects. In contrast, Beauveria bassiana and Cordyceps javanica showed limited or intermediate suppression. The integration of agronomic and nematological variables proved essential for distinguishing true nematicidal effects from mere plant growth promotion. These findings provide novel evidence supporting the biological management of M. paranaensis and establish a quantitative experimental framework applicable to coffee and other susceptible crops.