Use of supernatants from extremophilic bacteria on the biocontrol of root knot nematodes Meloidogyne sp.

Plant-parasitic nematodes, particularly the root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.), pose a significant threat to crop yields, with potential losses ranging from 26.5% to 73.3% in solanaceous crops like tomatoes. Traditional chemical controls, such as methyl bromide and other soil fumigants, have been effective but pose environmental and health risks, prompting the need for alternative strategies. This study investigates the efficacy of extremophilic bacterial supernatants derived from Antarctic strains as biocontrol agents against Meloidogyne spp. in tomato plants, both in vitro and under greenhouse conditions. Bacteria were isolated from cold environments and identified through molecular characterization. The supernatants from Pseudomonas, Filibacter, Frondihabitans, and Psychrobacter were tested for their nematicidal activity at different concentrations. The results demonstrated that these bacterial supernatants effectively reduced nematode populations, with varying degrees of success, suggesting their potential as sustainable biocontrol agents. The use of extremophilic bacteria could offer a viable alternative for managing nematode infestations, particularly in mountainous and cold-climate agriculture.