Method for protecting plants from nematodes using p. cepacia strains

Abstract

A method is provided for protecting a plant from nematodes and diseases associated with nematode invasion, which method comprises the step of inoculating said plant with a nematode-inhibiting strain of P. cepacia capable of colonizing said plant. The P. cepacia strain to be used should be non-pathogenic to said plant. Root inoculation of a plant with a nematode-inhibiting P. cepacia results in protection of the plant roots from nematode invasion. Foliar inoculation of the plant with these P. cepacia strains results in protection of the above-ground portions of the plant from nematode attack. Direct or indirect inoculation of seeds with nematode-inhibitory strains of P. cepacia strains can establish colonization of roots, stems and leaves of plants, and thus result in the protection of both roots and above-ground plant parts. The inoculum can be applied, for example, in the vicinity of a seed or young plant or it can be directly applied to a seed or to the above-ground parts of a young plant. Any plant colonized by the nematode-inhibiting P. cepacia of this invention may be protected against nematode attack. Specifically provided are two bacterial strains with inhibitory activity against plant-pathogenic nematodes: P. cepacia M36 (NRRL B-18379) and P. cepacia SG17 (NRRL B-18378).