Pratylenchus zeae and P. brachyurus reproduction in green manure maize/soybean consortium systems

Abstract

Root lesion nematodes are pathogens that have been causing relevant losses in crops; therefore, assertive management procedures to control them must be put in practice. Thus, the aim of the present study is to assess Pratylenchus zeae and P. brachyurus reproduction in green manure maize/soybean consortium and in single management systems. Initially, maize was cultivated for 60 days in naturally infested soil to enable nematode multiplication. Next, soil and roots in the pots were homogenized and the initial population was determined. The sampled soil was placed in pots containing green manure. Stizolobium aterrimum, Cajanus cajan, Canavalia ensiformis, Crotalaria spectabilis and C. juncea were sown alone or in maize/soybean consortium. Only one crop was used as control. The experiment was repeated in two different periods. Overall, the single and the consortium treatments reduced the nematode population per root gram, as well as the total population in the root system in experiments with P. zeae. The consortium treatments did not reduce the nematode population in treatments with P. brachyurus. On the other hand, the single crop treatments were efficient in controlling both nematode phytoparasites.