NEMATICIDIC AGENT AND METHOD FOR THE BIO-CONTROL OF NEMATODES

New bacterial strains, in particular Sphingobacterium spiritivorum C-926 and Corynobacterium paurometabolum C-924 with useful characteristics in the farming sector due to their nematicidic effect, which can be used in this context for the bio-control of nematodes. Bionematicides capable of effectively controlling phytopathogenic nematode populations in various crop s of interest. Useful strains may be isolated from soil taken from areas habitually affected by a high incidence of nematodes, from banana plants showing less severe symptoms of infestation. Strains are selected which are capable of affecting the eggs of the nematode Meloidogyne incognita, in experiments carried out under laboratory conditions. Active strains, such as Sphingobacterium spiritivorum strain C-926 and Corynobacterium paurometabolu m strain C-924, are tested to assess the protection which the bacterial preparation, applied directly, can provide to pumpkin and banana plants in relation to Meloidogyne incognita and Radopholus similis. Strains may also b e tested against the zoonematodes Haemonchus sp. and Trichostrongylus sp. Control of these parasites allows veterinary use. In addition to the nematod es referred to above, and selected due to the high losses which they incur in crops, the strains may also be effective in the control of populations of Heterodera ssp., Globodera ssp., and Pratylenchus ssp., as well as other species of zoonematodes.