VIEW ARTICLE

Effect of Meloidogyne javanica on Rhizosphere Microflora and Fusarium Wilt of Tomato. G. B. Bergeson, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana 47907; S. D. Van Gundy(2), and I. J. Thomason(3). (2)(3)Department of Nematology, University of California, Riverside 92502. Phytopathology 60:1245-1249. Accepted for publication 20 March 1970. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-60-1245.

Propagules of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici were more numerous in the rhizosphere of tomato infected with Meloidogyne javanica than in rhizospheres of noninfected plants. Combined infection by the fungus and nematode caused increased growth of the fungus in the roots but not in the foliage. Growth reduction due to fungus-nematode complex appeared to be independent of the amount or extent of mycelium growth in the stem. Numbers of actinomycetes were lower in the rhizosphere of galled roots. When actinomycetes increased after chitin soil amendments, there was a marked decrease in secondary invasion of root galls by other microorganisms.