Samuel Martins, PhD
Assistant Professor
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Josephine M. Pasche
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Roshni Sawlani
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Victor Hugo Buttrós
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Johan Desaeger, PhD
University of Florida
Gainsville, Florida, United States
Karen A. Garrett, PhD
Preeminent Professor
Plant Pathology Department, Global Food Systems Institute, 3Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Soil management, including amendments like collagen and chitin, significantly impacts the rhizosphere microbiome and plant health. These amendments can suppress the plant-parasitic nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii, an emerging threat to global tomato yields, by fostering beneficial microbes and enhancing plant growth. A greenhouse study demonstrated that collagen and chitin reduced M. enterolobii egg counts by up to 84% and improved tomato plant health. This efficacy is attributed to a shift in microbial communities, increasing beneficial bacterial (e.g., Kitasatospora, Bacillus, Streptomyces) and fungal (e.g., Phialemonium) genera known for their nematicidal properties. Notably, Streptomyces species, part of the core microbiome, were linked to reduced disease incidence. These findings highlight the potential of collagen and chitin to sustainably mitigate M. enterolobii infection through microbial community manipulation.