Acibenzolar-S-methyl doses and application methods to Pratylenchus brachyurus control in maize

Abstract

ABSTRACTPratylenchus brachyurus is one of the main limiting factors of agricultural yield in annual crops, particularly due its difficult management. Methods to reduce populations are constantly sought, and the use of resistance inducers deserves attention. Thus, the study aimed to assess the effect of acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) application in different doses to P. brachyurus control in maize. Initially, 1000 specimens of P. brachyurus were inoculated in maize for the multiplication. After 60 days, the aerial part (AP) was discarded and maize was sown under the treatments: seed treatment (ST), application in the AP and ST + AP, in the doses of 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 g i.a./L. Vegetative and nematological parameters were assessed 60 days later. ASM did not affect plant growth, but reduced nematode population in all the treatments. The treatment methods did not differ and reduced the number of nematodes/g root by 64.25 to 80.14% compared to the control. The doses of 0.6, 0.51 and 0.65 g i.a./L promoted the most reductions in the number of nematodes/g root when applied in ST, AP and ST + AP, respectively. Thus, we recommend the use of ASM applied on shoot in a dose of 0.50 g i.a./L.