Vermicompost-Mediated Management of Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) and Enhancement of Tomato Growth

Abstract

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita) are among the most destructive soil-dwelling pathogens affecting tomato production worldwide and cause substantial yield losses. Because these microscopic roundworms inhabit the soil and plant roots, their infestation is often detected late and may be confused with symptoms of water stress or nutrient deficiencies. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of vermicompost amendments in suppressing M. incognita and improving tomato plant growth under controlled conditions. Vermicompost was incorporated into soil at different rates on a percentage weight-by-weight (w/w) basis. The results demonstrated that vermicompost amendment significantly reduced nematode infestation while enhancing plant growth compared with the untreated control. Tomato plants grown with 15–20% vermicompost exhibited greater shoot and root lengths, increased fresh biomass, and significantly lower root galling, egg-mass production, and nematode reproductive factor. Overall, the findings indicate that vermicompost has considerable potential as an environmentally friendly approach for managing M. incognita while promoting tomato plant growth, with 15–20% amendment rates providing the most effective suppression under the tested conditions.