Aphelenchus avenae,a Potential Biological Control Agent for Root Rot Fungi

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Abstract
Various numbers of A. avenae, a mycophagous nematode, were added to pots of soil artificially infested with virulent isolates of Rhizoctonia solani or Fusarium solani. Control of these root rot fungi was determined by bioassay with alfalfa seedlings transplanted to the pots after a 3 wk fungus-nematode interaction period. Concentrations of 250,000 to 1,000,000 nematodes/15.2 cm (6 in.) standard clay pot of fungus-infested soil consistently produced healthy, dark green plants. Plants that survived in pots treated only with a fungus were stunted and chlorotic and had necrotic roots.