Mobility of Pratylenchus coffeae in segmented soil columns submitted to water flows and plant stimuli

Abstract

The root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus spp. causes a high-severity disease, promoting high economic losses in various crops of agricultural importance. The nematode control is difficult, especially after introduction into the area. Studies on the migration of this parasite in the soil are scarce. However, understanding nematode behavior in the soil is fundamental to increase the efficiency of management practices, especially in irrigated agriculture. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of water flow and plant stimulus on Pratylenchus coffeae mobility in segmented soil columns. The columns were segmented into 11 rings of 1 cm long filled with washed sand, one of the ends exposed to a bait, and submitted to flows of 0, 3, 7 cm3/min of water. Baits for nematode attraction and repelling consisted of sectioned tubers of yam (Dioscorea cayennensis) and cut leaves of neem (Azadirachta indica), respectively, and the absence of baits as the control. Nematodes were injected into the central segment of the column, and migration and presence in water leaching were determined five days after soil infestation. Mobility of P. coffeae varied with water flow and bait type. In the absence of water flow, nematodes migrated in the opposite direction to the neem baits, but migration was well distributed in the presence of yam baits, with specimens present in all column segments. The nematode had significantly higher resistance to water flow of 3 cm3/min in the presence of yam baits. No nematodes were found in the water leached at flows of 3 and 7 cm3/min in the absence of bait. Key words: Azadirachta indica. Dioscorea cayennensis. Lesion nematode. Soil dispersion.