Thesis (Ph.D)-Cairo University, 2025.

Bibliography: pages 135-157.

This study consists of two experiments to improve tomato (Solanum
lycopersicum L.) growth and control root-knot nematodes (RKN; Meloidogyne
incognita Kofoid and White). The first experiment evaluated the performance of
grafted tomato ‘Apache F1’ on various rootstocks, including S. nigrum (mi-1/mi-
1), Physalis pubescens (mi-1/mi-1), and tomato interspecific hybrids with S.
habrochaites (Mi-1/mi-1), compared to ungrafted plants in a greenhouse-infested
with RKN during the 2019 and 2020 fall seasons. Grafting onto resistant or
tolerant rootstocks reduced root galls and egg masses, and improved vegetative
growth, yield, and fruit quality. Rootstocks ‘Estamino’ and ‘Foramino’ (R5 and
R6 respectively) were the most effective, while P. pubescens and S. nigrum (R7 to
R9) were less compatible. This is the first report on RKN control using P.
pubescens and S. nigrum rootstocks. The study also identified key correlations
between morphological traits and categorized rootstocks into performance
clusters. The second experiment tested 20 bacterial strains for their ability to
control RKN and stimulate growth in tomato ‘Moneymaker’. Bacteria/strains from
Bacillus, Lysobacter, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, and Streptomyces were
applied to seeds, which were then planted in plastic pots during the 2022 and 2023
fall seasons and inoculated with 1500 J2 individuals per pot. Seed coating with
certain strains, including S. subrutilus Wb2n-11, Pseudomonas trivialis 3Re2-7,
and Sporosarcina psychrophile Sd4-11, improved plant growth, increased
photosynthetic pigments, and reduced RKN damage. These strains enhanced root
and shoot weight, leaf number, and metabolic activity, and promoted systemic
resistance to RKN. The study found that coated seeds generally outperformed
uncoated seeds, which showed reduced growth and increased nematode damage.
Overall, the study highlights the potential of both grafting and bacterial seed
coating as strategies for controlling RKN and improving tomato growth. Further
research is needed to optimize these methods for commercial use.

تتكون هذه الدراسة من تجربتين لتحسين نمو الطماطم ومكافحة نيماتودا تعقد الجذور. قيم في التجربة الأولى أداء الطماطم 'Apache F1' المطعمة على أصول مختلفة، شملت: Solanum nigrum، و Physalis pubescens، وهجن الطماطم النوعية، مقارنة بالنباتات الغير مطعمة في صوبة موبوءة بـالنيماتودا خلال خريف الموسم الخريفية 2019 و2020. التطعيم على الأصول المقاومة أو المتحملة، قلل إعداد العقد النيماتودية وكتل البيض، وحسن نمو النباتات، والحصول، وبعض صفات الجودة. اختبر فى التجربة الثانية 20 عزلة بكتيرية كعوامل مكافحة بيولوجية فى الطماطم 'Moneymaker'. أدى تغطية البذور ببعض العزالات إلى تحسين نمو النباتات وتقليل إضرار النيماتودا.

Issues also as CD.

Text in English and abstract in Arabic & English.