Antagonistic effect of Glomus mosseae on the pathogenicity of root-knot nematode infected Solanum nigrum

Solanum nigrum, an important medicinal plant, is affected by various diseases including root-knot disease caused by Meloidogyne incognita. To study the effects of root-knot disease on S. nigrum, in presence or absence of AM fungus (Glomus mosseae), an experiment was performed. There were five sets of plants, each with five replicates. The T1 plants were inoculated with the nematode, T2 with G. mosseae prior to nematode inoculation, T3 with fungus and nematode simultaneously and T4 with fungus after nematode inoculation. Uninoculated plants served as control (C). The data revealed that plant length, plant weight, number of flowers, number of fruits, and amount of chlorophyll a and b decreased significantly in T1, when compared with control. In T2, all the parameters were found to be significantly higher than T1 which were at par with control. In T3 plants, a significant reduction over the control was noticed. The parameters of T4 plants were at par with T1 and were significantly lower than control plants.

► Meloidogyne incognita cause root-knot infection which altered properties of Solanum nigrum.
► To assess the potential of AM fungi against root-knot nematode.
► AMF protect, increase overall growth parameters of the plant and the soil fertility.
► It is expected that both biotic agents might affect properties of S. nigrum.