Abstract

More than 40 genera of phytonematodes act as obligate parasites of higher plants. Considered hidden enemies, difficult to control and responsible for large losses in crops of economic importance. Currently, efforts are dedicated to its management through the search for biocontrollers and the use of organic fertilizers of plant or animal origin, whose action allows increasing antagonistic organisms and/or inducing unfavorable conditions for their development. In this context, the Research Institute of Tropical Roots and Tubers Crops (INIVIT) has validated, with the participation of producers, the benefits of banana rachis leachate obtained at the institution as a nutritional supplement in foods, vegetables and grains. In this sense, observations and results of its application during the years 2022 and 2023 lead to the present work with the objective of reporting the effect of rachis leachate on populations of Root-Knot Nematodes (RKN) of the genus Meloidogyne spp. The method used consisted of visual analysis of the root system and determination of the galling index in treated and untreated plants. The root system of untreated plants exhibited grade 4 (30 to 99 galls per plant). The first communication is made on the biocontrol potential of banana rachis leachate (10%) in reducing visible symptoms of infection by root-knot nematodes, showing a regulatory effect on population levels of phytonematodes in tomato and pepper plants. Studies aimed at understanding the mechanisms of action of the bioproduct as biological control of nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne spp. are recommended.

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