Control plant-parasitic nematodes with Trichoderma species and nematode-trapping fungi: The role of chi18-5 and chi18-12 genes in nematode egg-parasitism

► Fungal dual cultures were screened for a combined preparation against nematodes. ► Combinations of Trichoderma harzianum and Monacrosporium cionopagum are the best candidates. ► It was also revealed that T. harzianum strains are the most capable egg-parasites. ► Chitinolytic genes of T. harzianum are highly expressed during egg-parasitism. ► Expression values of chi18-12 were significantly higher than those of chi18-5.