The survey conducted to assess the incidence of root-knot nematode on
pomegranate in five localities (El-Badary, Manfalout, Sedfa, Sahel-Selim and El-
Fath) in Assiut governorate. Results showed that 490 out of 500 samples were
infested with root-knot nematode showing 98% infestation. Maximum infestation
was found in El-Badary, Manfalout and El-Fath (100%), while the minimum was
observed in Sahel-Selim (94%) followed by Sedfa (96%). In growing season
2013, the highest occurrence of root-knot nematode second stage was in pomegranate
orchards of Sahel-Selim locality (394 J2/100 g soil), but the lowest number
was found in Sedfa county (88.8 J2/100 g soil). In 2014, the highest number
of juveniles per 100 g soil was observed in El-Fath county (275.4), whereas Manfalout
county was the lowest infection (134.2). Bioagents (fungi, bacteria, yeast
and actinomycetes) were isolated from pomegranate rhizosphere and evaluated
against root-knot nematode J2 mortality percent in vitro. Among 29 fungal culture
filtrates, the highest effect was found in culture filtrate of 3 isolates (2, 3 and
10) with average mortality percent 8.33, 10.01 and 9.22, respectively with nonsignificant.
The fungal isolate No. 3 was selected and identified as Fusarium verticilloids.
From 17 isolates of bacteria, yeast and actinomycetes, the highest mortality
was observed in case of isolates No. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15 and 16 with average
24.22, 23.69, 25.59, 25.82, 26.52, 22.13 and 25.24 mortality percent respectively,
with nonsignificantly difference. According to morphological and physiological
characteristics, isolates No. 10, 11, 12 and 16 were identified as Xenorhabdus
beddingii, Streptomyces halstedii, Pantoea agglomerans and Pichia
guilliermondii.