Influence of the Microbial Community of a Sahel Soil On the Interactions Between Meloidogyne Javanica and Pasteuria Penetrans

The suppressiveness of Sahel soil against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica was studied. This soil was compared to another of the same type, collected from an adjacent vegetable plot. However, only one soil was infested by Pasteuria penetrans. Tomato plant and nematode development were greater in the soil with the P. penetrans. The multiplication of P. penetrans added to both sterilized soils was effective. Moreover, the presence of P. penetrans was associated with a larger microbial population (bacteria (fluorescent Pseudomonas), nematophagous and mycorrhizal fungi) which stimulated the attachment of Pasteuria spores to root-knot nematode juveniles. The incidence of the interactions between these microorganisms on the multiplication of the root-knot nematodes is discussed.