Scanning electron microscopy of parasitic association of soil fungus Trichoderma sp. with root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita

Scanning electron microscopy of egg masses, second stage juveniles (J2) and adult females of Meloidogyne incognita from its laboratory culture on tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) revealed prolific fungal growth of Trichoderma sp. on egg masses of the nematode collected from roots of plants grown using non-sterile manure-rich soil. Fungal hyphae and conidia were found adhered to the surfaces of eggs and egg masses and the hyphae also formed trapping-rings around emerging J2 but had no contact with adult females. Key words: Meloidogyne incognita, root-knot nematode, scanning electron microscopy, Trichoderma.