The Combination Effect of Purpureocillium lilacinum Strain (AUMC 10620) and Avermectin (B1a and B1b) on Control Citrus Nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans (Cobb) Under Laboratory and Field Conditions
by
, , and
Amr M. El-Marzoky
1,
Mohamed A. M. S. Ali
2,
Ahmed S. M. Elnahal
2,*,
Dalia A. Abuljadayel
3,
Wafa A. H. Alkherb
4,
Mahmoud Moustafa
5,
Mohammed O. Alshaharni
5 and
Elsayed M. Abd El-Aal
1 1
Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt
2
Plant Pathology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt
3
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Zoology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21461, Saudi Arabia
4
Department of Biology, College of Science, Qassim University, Buraidah 1452, Saudi Arabia
5
Department of Biology, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha 9004, Saudi Arabia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Biology 2025, 14(1), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14010060
Submission received: 15 November 2024
/
Revised: 5 January 2025
/
Accepted: 10 January 2025
/
Published: 13 January 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant–Microbe–Environment Interactions Under Current Climate Constraints: Unravelling Mechanisms of Pathogen Action and Host Defense in Agroforestry Systems)
Simple Summary
This study explores the combined effect of P. lilacinum, a fungus, and avermectin, a pesticide, on controlling citrus nematodes (T. semipenetrans), a pest that damages citrus crops. The research found that the combination was more effective than using either treatment alone, both in the lab and in the field. The combined treatment reduced nematode numbers and reproduction more significantly over time. These results suggest that using both treatments together could help improve pest control and protect citrus crops, offering a more sustainable solution for farmers.
Abstract
This study investigates the nematicidal efficacy of Purpureocillium lilacinum strain (AUMC 10620) combined with avermectin (B1a and B1b) against the citrus nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans, both in vitro and in vivo. Laboratory experiments tested four concentrations of P. lilacinum (2.5, 5, 10, and 15 × 107 spores/mL) mixed with 250 ppm avermectin, assessing their effects on nematode juveniles (J2) and eggs. Results showed significant increases in juvenile mortality and egg hatching inhibition with the combined treatments compared to individual applications. The highest concentration (15 × 107 spores/mL + 250 ppm avermectin) achieved 100% juvenile mortality and 83.33% egg hatching inhibition after 72 h. Field trials confirmed the superior efficacy of the combined treatment, with P. lilacinum (15 × 107 spores/mL) and avermectin (1000 ppm) reducing nematode populations by 70.85% in mandarin trees and 70.77% in sweet orange trees after three weeks, compared to the 83.59% and 81.76% reduction, respectively, achieved by oxamyl. These findings suggest that mixtures of P. lilacinum and avermectin can serve as effective, eco-friendly alternatives for controlling nematodes in citrus orchards.
