Paecilomyces lilacinus It is mainly egg parasite.
The fungus produces antibiotics viz., leucinostatin and lilacin and enzymes such as protease and chitinase. Protease has nematicidal activity, causes degradation of the eggshell, and inhibits hatching. Chitinase breaks down the eggshell making the route for the fungus to pass through.
The decomposition of chitin releases ammonia, which is toxic to second-stage juveniles of root-knot nematode (RKN).
Its hypha enters the vulva and anus of RKN females. The fungus penetrates the egg and develops profusely inside and over the eggs, completely inhibiting juvenile development. The infected eggs swell and buckle. As penetration continues, the vitelline layer of the egg splits into three bands and a large number of vacuoles; lipid layer disappears at this stage.
The developing juvenile inside the egg is destroyed by the rapidly growing hyphae. Many conidiophores are produced and the hypha moves to the adjacent eggs.
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