Rodrigo F. Ramos is a Researcher in Plant Nutrition at Staphyt Brazil. He is a member of BioTeam Staphyt in Brazil, a research group focused on the study of bioproducts for agriculture. He obtained a degree in Agronomy from the Federal University of Fronteira Sul and a Master's in Soil Science from the Federal University of Santa Maria. He has a background in soil microbiology and biochemistry, plant nutrition, and biology.
Nematodes are considered a serious problem for agriculture. Nematodes of the Meloidogyne genus can attack a wide range of plants, needing different management methods to decrease its population. Fungi from the Trichoderma genus has been related to have potential as biological control agents. However, before an organism is used as biological control agent, first it is necessary to prospect, characterize and test its potential as biocontrol agent, so the objective of this work was to characterize and test fungi isolates of the Trichoderma genus to control M. javanica. We obtained forty isolate to carry out this experiment. We extracted the DNA of each isolate to discover which species we were testing, by doing a PCR and sequencing. We tested in vitro their parasitism effect using ELISA plate. Also, we extracted their filtrate to see if their metabolites have potential to reduce nematode population by showing a high mortality or inhibiting hatching. The results confirmed the high potential of the fungi of Trichoderma genus as a biological agent to control Meloidogyne javanica.
Part of the book: Nematodes
The health of plants depends on numerous environmental factors. All plants, including trees, live in close relationship with microorganisms. Plants harbor microbial communities in above- and below-ground tissues, where plant-associated microbial communities are influenced by environmental conditions and host genotype. The microbiome of trees is composed of mutualistic, commensal, and pathogenic microorganisms. Mutualistic microorganisms can help trees obtain nutrients (e.g., phosphorus and nitrogen) and defend against plant pathogens. Ecological interactions between different microbial groups directly influence host health, and endophytic microorganisms can inhibit pathogen growth or induce the expression of genes related to tree defense against these adverse organisms. Hence, understanding host-microbiome-environment interactions are crucial for modulating tree health.
Part of the book: Current and Emerging Challenges in the Diseases of Trees