Host Status of Commonly Planted Ornamentals to Meloidogyne incognita and Management through Endophytic Bacteria

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PJZ_50_4_1393-1402

Host Status of Commonly Planted Ornamentals to Meloidogyne incognita and Management through Endophytic Bacteria

Ghulam Muhae-ud-Din1,4, Anam Moosa1, Umer Farooq Ghummen1, Muhammad Jabran1, Amjad Abbas1, Muhammad Naveed2, Abdul Jabbar1 and Muhammad Amjad Ali1,3,*

1Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

2Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

3Centre of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

4Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China

ABSTRACT

Meloidogyne incognita is the most dangerous plant parasitic nematode species that infects a huge number of crop plants. It also infects the ornamental plants resulting in a serious growth-limiting factor in ornamentals. In this study, the response of ten ornamental plants to M. incognita was assessed in pot experiments. All the ornamental plant species showed varying degree of infection of M. incognita. Rhapis excels and Ophiopogan japonicas were moderately resistant, Cordyline fruticosa, Hibiscus syriacus and Carrisa macrocarpa were moderately susceptible, Murraya paniculata and Ficus benjamina were susceptible, F. elastica, Artemissia stelleriana and Duranta repens were highly susceptible to M. incognita infection according to a well established 0-4 galling scale. The highest galling index and reproductivity of nematodes, i.e., total number of egg masses, juveniles and females, were observed in highly susceptible plants. The values of canopy length, dry root weight, fresh root weight, root length, dry shoot weight and shoot height was variable for all plants and the maximum canopy length was recorded in C. macrocarpa, while maximum fresh root weight, dry root weight, root length and shoot weight were recorded in O. japonicus and R. escelsa, respectively. The susceptible plants were subjected to the application of endophytic bacteria Pantoea agglomerans strain MN34 and Pseudomonas putida strain MN12 in a pot experiment. Both endophytes significantly decreased the galling index and promoted the growth of the plants root length, shoot weight and canopy length; however, the highest root weight was observed in the control treatment. P. agglomerans showed more reduction in galling index and increase in plant growth than P. putida. The results concluded that M. incognita has a wide host range in ornamental plants and they could be managed by using antagonistic, growth promoting endophytic bacteria.

Article Information

Received 12 November 2017

Revised 06 February 2018

Accepted 06 March 2018

Available online 05 June 2018

Authors’ Contribution

MAA conceived and supervised the study. UFG and AJ planned and conducted study. GM and MJ helped in data collection and analysis. AM and AA reviewed and interpreted results. MN provided the bacterial strains and critically reviewed and interpreted results.

Key words

Ornamental plants, Biocontrol, M. incognita, P. agglomerans, P. putida.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjz/2018.50.4.1393.1402

* Corresponding author: amjad.ali@uaf.edu.pk;

amjad.ali2001@gmail.com

0030-9923/2018/0004-1393 $ 9.00/0

Introduction

Ornamental plants hold high aesthetic value and make the environment better and clean. The climate of Pakistan is conducive to cultivate almost all important ornamental plants. Floriculture has emerged as an attractive business due to social, religious and medicinal benefits of flowers (Raghava and Dadlani, 1999). Plant parasitic nematodes are one of the major limitations to the growth and proliferation of ornamental plants. Root-knot nematodes (RKNs), Meloidogyne spp. (Chitwood, 1949), are a serious yield limiting threat to various crops, in particular, under tropical and sub-tropical climates (Koenning et al., 2004). RKNs are economically important group of sedentary plant parasitic nematodes that cause high yield loss of cultivated crops worldwide, predominantly in developing countries (Sasser, 1979; Sasser and Carter, 1985; Netscher and Sikora, 1990; Ali et al., 2017a). Seasonal ornamental plants are highly susceptible to the attack of root-knot nematodes (Sasser, 1989). The amount of damage by nematodes primarily depends upon the population density, species, host type and environmental factors (Mitkowski and Abawi, 2003). However, the impact of plant parasitic nematode on ornamental plants and other crops remained obscure due to their tiny size, soil-borne nature, enigmatic life cycle and delusive signs of feeding on the plants. Among various plant parasitic nematodes affecting the ornamental plants, root knot nematodes and stunt nematodes (Tylenchorhynchus spp. and Xiphinema spp.) are the most deleterious pests (Anwar and van Gundy, 1989). These nematodes attack the root system of plants and hinder the uptake of water, minerals and other essential nutrients from the soil (Walia and Bajaj, 2003; Ali et al., 2015, 2017b).

High yield loss due to plant parasitic nematodes has provoked the search for most reliable and effective management strategies. To date, application of nematicides is the best way to control nematodes. However, nematicides have inflicted a damaging effect on beneficial soil microbes, human health and surroundings in addition to plant growth and metabolic systems (Duncan, 1991; Sharma, 1977). It emphasizes the need to find reliable and eco-safe alternative management options. The use of growth promoting antagonistic bacteria is an environment friendly approach to control plant parasitic nematodes (Chen and Dickson, 1998; reviewed by Ali et al., 2017a). Numerous studies have previously reported the potential of endophytic bacteria to suppress plant parasitic nematodes (Weller, 1988; Emmert and Handelsman, 1999; Munif et al., 2000; Vetrivelkalai et al., 2010). Hallmann et al. (1998) indicated the positive colonization of Pseudomonas flourscens 89B-61 and Enterobacter asburiae JM22 on M. incognita infected roots of cotton (Gossipium hirsutum L.) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) roots. Pantoea agglomerans MK-29, Pseudomonas putida MT-19, Cedeca davisae MK-30 and Enterobacter spp. MK-42 significantly reduced the infection of M. incognita on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) (Munif et al., 2001). The number of infective juveniles of M. incognita and root galling was significantly reduced in treated plants. The study indicates the possible role of systemically induced resistance in the biocontrol of M. incognita. Isolates from Pseudomonas and Streptomyces showed biocontrol activity against M. incognita (Krechel et al., 2002). Bacterial antagonism is mainly due to production of antibiotics and toxins, competition and the production of cell wall degrading enzymes (Chet et al., 1990). In addition to bacteria, nematophagous fungi have largely been used to control Meloidogyne spp. (Hussain et al., 2017a, b). Endophytic bacteria have beneficial effect on plants such as plant growth promotion, supply of nutrients, less exposure to environmental stress and antagonistic control of plant pathogens (Hallmann et al., 1997; Downing and Thomson, 2000; Ashikari et al., 2001).

In the current report, we have studied the host status of selected ornamentals to M. incognita. M. incognita has a diverse host range in fruits, vegetables, cereal crops and ornamentals. Moreover, we have further investigated the potential of endophytic bacteria P. Agglomerans strain MN34 and Pseudomonas putida strain MN12 (Naveed, 2013) to analyze the infestation of M. incognita in the roots of ornamental plants. P. agglomerans has been reported to be an effective antagonistic agent due to competitive colonization of plants and production of antimicrobial compounds (Stockwell et al., 2002; Poppe et al., 2003). P. putida is a ubiquitous endophyte that produces a variety of antimicrobial secondary metabolites against numerous plant pathogens. Guo et al. (2016) recently reported the inhibition of M. incognita by P. putida. Hence, the project was designed to check the antagonistic effect of these endophytes on M. incognita infection in ornamentals.

Materials and methods

Experimental site and ornamental plants

The experimental site was Research area of Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Ten species of ornamental plants were selected for this study (Table I). These ten plant species are the most commonly planted in the gardens and for the ornamental purposes throughout the country. The plant species were taken from Ayub Agriculture Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Table Ӏ.- Galling index and reaction of ornamental plants to Meloidogyne incognita infection.

Plant species	Common name	Gall indexb	Reactionb
Ficus elastica	Ficus Rubber	39.8 aa	HS
Artemisia stelleriana	Silver Spoon	34.4 b	HS
Duranta repens	Golden Duranta	33.2 b	HS
Ficus benjamina	Ficus Starlight	17.8 d	S
Murraya paniculata	Marwa Chinese	24.8 c	S
Cordyline fruticosa	Red Dracaena	7.8 e	MS
Hibiscus syriacus	Hibiscus	5.2 ef	MS
Carrisa macrocarpa	Stuff Karonda	9.4 e	MS
Ophiopogan japonicus	Dwarf lilyturf	1.8 f	MR
Rhapis excels	Lady Finger Palm	1.4 f	MR

aMean values with same letters are not significantly different from each other analyzed by Fischer Protected LSD at P≤ 0.05, Mean values average of 5 replicates. b0 gall = resistant (R); 1-2 galls = moderately resistant (MR); 3-10 galls = moderately susceptible (MS); 11-30 galls = susceptible (S); 31 galls and above = highly susceptible (HS).

Culture preparation of endophytic bacteria

Selected endophytic bacterial strains MN34 (P. agglomerans) and MN12 (P. putida) were previously isolated from the rhizosphere of maize (Zea mays L.) and were evaluated for improving growth and yield of maize (Naveed, 2013). The culture was prepared in 10% of Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB) in 1 L of sterilized water and incubated for 72 h at 28°C (Naveed, 2013). The culture was grown to an optical density (OD) of 0.5 at 600 nm through dilution in double distilled water to maintain uniform cell density (107-108 CFU mL−1) using a UV-visible spectrophotometer T60 (PG Instruments Limited, Leicestershire, UK).

Extraction and mass culturing of M. incognita

M. incognita (J2) infective juveniles were isolated from infected tomato plants and their rhizosphere by modified Whitehead and Hemming Tray method (Whitehead and Hemming, 1965). Infected tomato samples were collected from Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad and Ayub Agriculture Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Mature females were identified as M. incognita through perineal pattern (Hartman and Sasser, 1985). Tomato cv. Money Maker 3-week-old seedlings were taken from Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. The seedlings were transplanted into earthen pots filled with sterilized sandy loam soil. After one week of transplanting, each plant was inoculated with 1000 freshly hatched 2nd stage juveniles (J2s) of M. incognita. The pots were kept in greenhouse at 22-25°C and irrigated daily. Eight to nine-week-old infected tomato seedlings were washed gently with clean water to remove the debris. The roots were shredded into 2-3 cm pieces and shaken vigorously for 3-4 min in a plastic jar with a tightly fitting lid, containing 200 mL of 0.5% sodiumoxychloride (NaOCl) to dissolve the gelatinous matrix and to release M. incognita eggs. Care was taken that the eggs should not be exposed to more than 1% concentration of NaOCl for no longer than few seconds. The eggs were rinsed with clean water for a few minutes on clean mesh of 150 µm and 25 µm pore size to release freshly hatched juveniles. To obtain J2s, the egg masses were incubated for 3-4 d at 28°C. Infective juveniles (J2s) were collected after every 24 h on clean mesh of 150 µm and 25 µm pore size for a week. During the collection period the infective juveniles were stored in an aqueous suspension at 5ºC to further inoculate ornamental plants.

Counting and standardization of M. incognita inoculum

The inoculum density of M. incognita was calculated. The extracted suspension was poured in a measuring cylinder and mixed thoroughly. The number of J2s was estimated in 3×1 mL aliquots in a counting dish under a dissecting microscope at X3.5 magnification. The mean of three replications was multiplied with total volume to assess the total population density. It was difficult to count the nematodes in 1 mL suspension due to high density of nematodes; 0.25-0.5 mL nematode suspension was diluted with 1-2 mL distilled water for population estimate.

Pot experiments

Host range assessment of ornamental plants

Two-month-old ornamental plants, washed clean of soil, were transferred to earthen pots containing sterilized soil. The plants were inoculated after 1 week of transplant by applying 1000 egg/pot of M. incognita at four equidistant holes of 4 cm depth made around the root zone of the plant. For each ornamental plant one treatment was infected and the other treatment was uninfected control to compare the response of the plants against M. incognita infection. The experiment was a completely randomized arrangement of treatments. The plants were kept in a greenhouse and irrigated with clean water once or twice a week depending upon the temperature. The assessment of nematode development on plants was carried out after 8 weeks for 5 replicates of each treatment. The criteria used for the assessment of infection was the gall index scale of Taylor and Sasser (1978) which states that; 0 = 0 gall, resistant; 1 = 1-2 galls, moderately resistant; 2 = 3-10 galls, moderately susceptible; 3 = 11-30 galls, susceptible; and 4 = 31 galls and above, highly susceptible. To assess root galling, number of galls/root system was counted and rated on gall index scale. The roots were stained in 0.1% acid fuchsine solution (acid fuchsine dissolved in a 1:1:1: mixture of glycerol, lactic acid and distilled water) for 1-3 min prior to counting number of egg masses/root system. The egg masses were stained bright red and the excess stain was removed by dipping the roots in a beaker filled with tap water and a dip in clearing solution (50:50, glycerol and distilled water, acidified with few drops of acetic acid). The roots were chopped into small pieces, transferred into clearing solution in a glass tube and macerated using a silver son laboratory homogenizer at maximum speed for 30 s to count the number of nematodes. To count the number of mature females the shredded roots were placed in two folds of tissue paper to prevent quick drying. The roots were stained for 15-20 min in phloxine B (15 mg L-1) (Hartman and Sasser, 1985). The shredded roots were placed in a plastic dish (15 cm in diameter) and the total number of egg masses was counted by using dissecting microscope. Similarly, to estimate the number of J2s, infected roots were kept in a funnel containing sterilized water for 5 d. The nematodes moved into the water at the lower side of the funnel. Few aliquots of water were collected in petri plates and the number of J2s was counted under a stereomicroscope. Growth parameters, i.e., dry root weight (g), fresh root weight (g), dry shoot weight (g), root length (cm), shoot height (cm) and canopy length (cm) were recorded for all ornamental plants in different treatments.

Co-inoculation of selected ornamental species with endophytic bacteria and nematodes

Four susceptible ornamental plants, i.e., M. paniculata, D. repens, A. stelleriana and F. elastic obtained from resistance assessment of ornamental plants in the first pot experiment were selected for this experiment. Two-month-old ornamental plants were cultivated 1 plant per pot in earthen pots containing sterilized sandy loam soil. P. agglomerans and P. putida cultures 25 mL each containing 107 CFU mL-1 concentration was applied to the soil by making four equidistant holes of 4 cm in depth around the collar region of the plants. After 15 d of bacterial inoculation M. incognita inoculum at the rate of 1000 eggs pot-1 was distributed in the holes around the root zone of the plants. Plants were irrigated with clean water once or twice a week depending upon the temperature. The experiment was a factorial arrangement of treatments in a completely randomized block design including with 5 replications, the positive and negative controls, 1) treated plants (plants treated with P. agglomerans or P. putida and infected with M. incognita) or 2) control plants (plants infected with M. incognita only). The plants were harvested after 60 d. The galling index was calculated following the gall index scale of Taylor and Sasser (1978). To calculate number or galls, the plants were gently taken out of the pots. To calculate number of egg masses, roots were washed with clean water and stained in 0.1% acid fuchsine solution (acid fuchsine dissolved in a 1:1:1 mixture of glycerol, lactic acid and distilled water) for 1-3 min. Growth parameters canopy length (cm), plant height (cm), root length (cm) and root weight were also recorded.

Statistical analysis

Data from both trials was subjected to statistical analysis using the statistical software Statistix (Ver. 8.1) (available at https://www.statistix.com/). The mean values of the treatments were analyzed with Fischer protected LSD and Tukey HSD tests at 5% (P ≤ 0.05). The significance of data for resistance assessment of ornamental plants and growth parameters was tested by Fischer Protected LSD test at 5% (P ≤ 0.05). Significant and non-significant interactions from the screening of endophytic bacteria on ornamental plant species were used to explain the results and the significance of treatment groups was tested by Tukey’s HSD test at 5% (P ≤ 0.05).

Results

Host status of the 10 ornamental plant species assessed through pot trial indicated that all plants were host to M. incognita with varying degree of infection (Table I). Maximum galling was observed in F. elastic followed by A. stelleriana, and D. repens, while least was observed in R. excelsa at P ≤ 0.05. The reaction of two ornamentals R. excels and O. japonicas was moderately resistant (MR), C. fruticosa, H. syriacus and C. macrocarpa were moderately susceptible (MS), M. paniculata and F. benjamina were susceptible (S), F. elastica, A. stelleriana and D. repens showed highly susceptible (HS) reaction to M. incognita infection (Table I). Nematode infection on various plant species was also assessed through total number of females, total egg masses and total juveniles. The reproduction parameters of M. incognita, i.e., total number of egg masses, females and juveniles, were highest in highly susceptible ornamental plants, i.e., F. elastica, A. stelleriana and D. repens (Table II). Moderately resistant plants R. excelsa and O. japnicus showed great reduction in reproduction of M. incognita (P ≤ 0.05). The plant species with high degree of infection revealed higher reproduction potential; however, the plant species with low infection showed less reproduction potential of M. incognita. The galling index and reproductive parameters of M. incognita showed significant differences in all ornamentals P ≤ 0.05. The effect of M. incognita infection on growth parameters of all ornamental plant species showed significant variation in the growth of various plant species. The canopy length (cm), dry root weight (g), fresh root weight (g), root length (cm), shoot height (cm) and dry shoot weight (g) were variable for all the ornamentals studied (Table III). All ornamental plant species were different from each other in growth habit. However, superior growth rate was recorded in C. macrocarpa, O. japonicus and R. escelsa respectively, while least growth was observed in M. paniculata. All ornamental plant species showed significantly different growth parameters at P ≤ 0.05. The plant growth parameters were independent of the degree of resistance or susceptibility.

Table ӀӀ.- Reproduction of Meloidogyne incognita on different ornamental plants in pot experiment.

Plant species	Total females	Total egg masses	Total juveniles
Ficus elastic	119.4 aa	159.2 a	2895 a
Artemisia stelleriana	103.2 a	137.6 b	2580 ab
Duranta repens	103.2 a	137.8 b	2490 b
Ficus benjamina	53.4 b	71.2 d	1335 d
Murraya paniculata	74.4 b	99.2 c	1860 c
Cordyline fruticosa	23.4 cd	31.2 e	540 e
Hibiscus syriacus	15.6 cd	20.8 ef	390 ef
Carrisa macrocarpa	28.2 c	37.6 e	705 e
Ophiopogan japonicus	5.2 d	7.2 f	135 f
Rhapis excelsa	4.2 d	5.6f	105 f
LSD (P≤ 0.05)	13.57	18.10	331.96

aMean values with same letters are not significantly different from each other analyzed by Fischer Protected LSD at P ≤ 0.05, Mean values average of 5 replicates.

Table ӀӀӀ.- Effect of Meloidogyne incognita on growth parameters of ornamental plants.

Plant species	Canopy (cm)	Dry root weight (g)	Fresh root weight (g)	Root length (cm)	Dry shoot weight (g)	Shoot height (cm)
Ficus elastic	20.2 ea	13.2 cd	21.0 e	22.6 de	47.1 c	19.4 bc
Artemisia stelleriana	34.4 b	11.2 df	20.4 e	25.8 cd	25.4 e	19.6 bc
Duranta repens	26.2 cd	10.2 ef	19.9 ef	18.0 ef	22.6 ef	21.0 ab
Ficus benjamina	26.0 cd	12.5 cd	25.4 d	21.2 df	17.0 fg	21.2 ab
Murraya paniculata	21.0 e	7.4 g	14.0 f	12.2 g	12.4 g	24.2 a
Cordyline fruticosa	27.4 c	11.1 df	22.5 de	29.2 c	17.9 fg	16.8 c
Hibiscus syriacus	22.8 de	14.8 c	33.4 c	46.0 b	59.0 b	18.0 bc
Carrisma macrocarpa	61.4 a	9.0 fg	16.6 f	17.0 fg	28.8 e	23.8 a
Ophiopagan japonicas	20.0 e	40.8 a	63.0 a	52.0 a	35.8 d	7.20 d
Rhapis excels	30.0 c	23.2 b	44.4 b	19.2 ef	78.4 a	16.2 c
LSD (P ≤ 0.05)	4.12	2.45	3.42	4.99	6.74	3.93

aMean values with same letters are not significantly different from each other analyzed by Fischer protected LSD at P≤ 0.05, Mean values average of 5 replicates.

The effect of endophytic bacteria P. agglomerans and P. putida on susceptible ornamental plants M. paniculata, D. repens, A. stelleriana and F. elastic was assessed in a pot experiment. Plant species (P) and endophytic bacteria (B) alone and their interaction P×B indicated significant effect on galling index at P ≤ 0.05. Growth parameters canopy length (cm), root weight (g), shoot weight (g) and root length of the four ornamental plants were also significantly affected by type of plant (P) and endophytic bacterium (B) alone. The interaction P×B affected the canopy length (cm) and root weight (g) of the plants, while, the root length (cm) and shoot weight (g) were not affected at P ≤ 0.05. Both P. agglomerans and P. putida were effective to reduce the infection of M. incognita. However, higher reduction in galling index was observed by P. agglomerans in M. paniculata, D. repens, A. stelleriana and F. elastic (Fig. 1). P. agglomerans and P. putida had a growth promoting effect on the plants. The canopy length (cm), shoot weight (g) and root length (cm) was highly enhanced in P. agglomerans and P. putida treated plants compared to untreated control. P. agglomerans showed higher growth rate of the plants compared to control at P ≤ 0.05 (Fig. 2). The root length was maximum in P. agglomerans and P. putida treated plants, while the root weight was maximum in the control plants with least length.

Discussion

The first approach of this study was to study the host status of ornamental plant species commonly planted in Pakistan to M. incognita. The observations of the study clearly indicate the potential of M. incognita to infect the ornamental host plants included in this study and further confirmed the diverse host range of M. incognita. Ten ornamental plants were screened for their host status to M. incognita. It was evident from the observation that all plants were favorable for the infection of M. incognita and showed varying degree of infection. Susceptible plants had a high gall index of M. incognita. Previously, various reports have stated the infectivity of M. incognita on ornamental plants and confirmed the host status of many ornamental species. Siddiqui et al. (2014) recorded five ornamental hosts, i.e., Papaver somniferum, Chrysanthemum morifolium, Dianthus caryophyllus, Calendula officinalus and Centaurea montana of M. incognita. Shazad et al. (2011) also reported the susceptibility of two perennial ornamentals Alternanthera dentata cv. Brazilian-Red-Hot and Iresine herbstii cv. Brilliantissima to M. incognita. Similarly, Salawu and Darabidan (2010) reported that Hibiscus, Duranta and Cordyline spp. were susceptible to M. incognita in conformity with the present finding. M. incognita and other Meloidogyne spp. were isolated and identified from plants of Duranta, Ficus, Ophiopogan and Hibiscus genera (Brito et al., 2010). D. repens and Carrisa macrocarpa were reported to be infected by M. javanica (El-Sherbiny, 2011). The galling index and reproductivity of nematodes was higher with increasing susceptibility of the plants. The results are in accordance with Siddiqui et al. (2014), who reported that the galling index and reproductive parameters were higher in susceptible plant species compared to the resistant ones. Shazad et al. (2011) also observed high galling and reproductivity of M. incognita in susceptible ornamental plants. Increasing susceptibility of ornamental plants in the present study has resulted in high reproductivity and galling index of nematodes, hence, aggravating the infection. The results have indicated that susceptibility of ornamentals was directly proportional to infectivity of M. incognita.

The management approach used in this study was to test the effect of endophytic bacteria as biocontrol agents to manage M. incognita and growth promotion of the plants. The identification of bacterial endophytes with broad spectrum and effective control of M. incognita infection in ornamental plants is highly required for biocontrol of this problem. Endophytes live inside the plants without causing any deleterious effect to plant health, but some endophytes provide direct or indirect benefits to their host plants (Hardoim et al., 2008; Shoresh et al., 2010). Endophytes P. agglomerans strain MN34 and P. putida strain MN12 tested in the pot experiment indicated suppressive effect on M. incognita and promoted growth of treated plants. Antibiosis or production of toxic compounds is more likely to be the principle mechanism involved in the control of M. incognita. For instance, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is produced by several bacterial strains like Psuedomonas spp. (Naveed, 2013). Endophytic bacteria produce a variety of diffusible compounds (Weller, 2007; Naveed, 2013). HCN is a volatile compound produced by Pseudomonas spp. (Paul and Sharma, 2006). They also compete with other microorganisms for food and space, hence, suppressing the growth of other organisms, i.e., root knot nematodes, in this study.

P. agglomerans and P. putida showed growth promoting effect on plants. Both endophytes significantly increased root length (cm), shoot weight (g) and canopy (cm) of the ornamental plants and decreased the galling index, number of females, number of egg masses and number of juveniles of M. incognita. The root weight was maximum 23, 33, 26.2 and 29 g , while root length was least 9, 6, 13 and 10 cm in the control plants of M. paniculata, A. stelleriana, D. repens and F. elastica, respectively. It may be attributed to the fact that M. incognita produced the highest number of galls on the control plants that resulted in increased weight of the plants. The result of screening of antagonistic bacteria is in line with the earlier findings (Akhtar, 1993; Siddiqui and Shaukat, 2003, 2004; Xin et al., 2009; Khan et al., 2012, 2015; Rogers et al., 2012; Knoth et al., 2013) stating the growth promoting effect of endophytes and reduction in galling index of plant parasitic nematodes. These results are also supported by Racke and Sikora (1992), who reported that the application of endophytic bacteria increased the canopy length, fresh shoot weight, dry shoot weight, shoot height and root length of the ornamental plants. This increase in growth might be attributed by high production of auxin (by these bacterial strains) that is already reported that MN34 strain is hyper-producer of auxin (Naveed, 2013). Benson and Barker (1982) decribed that ornamental plants that are affected by the plant parasitic nematodes showed stunted growth as compared to un-affected plants. Similarly, several reports have stated that bacterial endophytes enhance plant growth by absorbing more nutrients from the soil and suppress the growth of plant parasitic nematodes (Sturz et al., 2000; Feng et al., 2006). Moens et al. (2009) described that the endophytic bacteria inhibit the entry of phytopathogenic nematodes into the root zone of plants. Hence, it is evident from previous reports and present findings that endophytic bacteria increase plant growth and decrease the infection of M. incognita in the plants.

Conclusions

The findings of the present study confirms the host status of ten commonly planted ornamentals to M. incognita with varrying degree of infection. It indicates that M. incognita have a diverse host range in ornamentals. It is also concluded that the application of bacterial endophytes P. agglomerans and P. putida provides a less damaging, reliable option for controlling plant-parasitic nematodes and increases the plant growth without any detrimental effects on the environment.

Acknowldgements

The authors are thankful to Higher Education Commission of Pakistan for financial support through grant number HEC/HRD/SRG/2014/828.

Statement of conflict of interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this article.

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