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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi reduce root-knot nematode penetration through altered root exudation of their host

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Abstract

Aims

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can control root-knot nematode infection, but the mode of action is still unknown. We investigated the effects of AMF and mycorrhizal root exudates on the initial steps of Meloidogyne incognita infection, namely movement towards and penetration of tomato roots.

Methods

M. incognita soil migration and root penetration were evaluated in a twin-chamber set-up consisting of a control and mycorrhizal (Glomus mosseae) plant compartment (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Marmande) connected by a bridge. Penetration into control and mycorrhizal roots was also assessed when non-mycorrhizal or mycorrhizal root exudates were applied and nematode motility in the presence of the root exudates was tested in vitro.

Results

M. incognita penetration was significantly reduced in mycorrhizal roots compared to control roots. In the twin-chamber set-up, equal numbers of nematodes moved to both compartments, but the majority accumulated in the soil of the mycorrhizal plant compartment, while for the control plants the majority penetrated the roots. Application of mycorrhizal root exudates further reduced nematode penetration in mycorrhizal plants and temporarily paralyzed nematodes, compared with application of water or non-mycorrhizal root exudates.

Conclusions

Nematode penetration was reduced in mycorrhizal tomato roots and mycorrhizal root exudates probably contributed at least partially by affecting nematode motility.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Nicole Viaene from the Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO), Belgium, for valuable comments on the manuscript. This work was supported by a specialization grant from the Institute for the Promotion of Innovation through Science and Technology in Flanders (IWT-Vlaanderen) to C. Vos and a VLIR-UDC grant from the Belgian Government to R. Mkandawire.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Tropical Crop Improvement, Department of Biosystems, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, University of Leuven (K.U.Leuven), Kasteelpark Arenberg 13, 3001, Leuven, Belgium

    Christine Vos, Sofie Claerhout, Rachel Mkandawire, Bart Panis & Dirk De Waele

  2. Bodemkundige Dienst van België, Willem de Croylaan 48, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium

    Annemie Elsen

  3. Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Rachel Mkandawire, Dirk De Waele & Annemie Elsen

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  1. Christine Vos
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  2. Sofie Claerhout
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Correspondence to Christine Vos.

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Vos, C., Claerhout, S., Mkandawire, R. et al. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi reduce root-knot nematode penetration through altered root exudation of their host. Plant Soil 354, 335–345 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-011-1070-x

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