Background:

The aim of this study was to characterize bacterium CIGBTb, isolated from eggs of Tricostrongylus due to its nematode bio-controlling activity, and possible action mechanisms, through pot and in vitro trials, and the detection of its pathogenic attributes.

Methods:

The strain was characterized by molecular and conventional methods. Its effectiveness against nematodes and effect on plant growth were evaluated in pots containing Solanum lycopersicum plants var UC-8213. At 40 days, the infestation index, number of galls, stem and root length and mass, and the number of eggs per mass, were determined. The effects of Haemonchus spp. and Meloidogyne spp. on hatching were evaluated in vitro. ANOVA and Duncan test were used for data comparison.

Results:

Sphingobacterium sp. CIGBTb inhibited hatching of Haemonchus spp. (100%) and Meloidogyne spp (87%) eggs. The number of root knots and eggs per mass were significantly reduced in Solanum lycopersicum (58% and 53%, respectively). The growth of Solanum lycopersicum increased 0.59 times in relation to the control. No other reports were found on other strains of this gender with nematicidal activity, that could promote plant growth at the same time.

Conclusions:

CIGBTb might allow for biological control of nematodes by not only reducing egg hatching, but also the number of eggs per mass.