Penetration and Reproduction of Meloidogyne javanica on Leguminous Crops

Abstract

AbstractThe use of antagonist plants is one of the most effective methods in the management of root–knot nematodes, and several plants recommended for this purpose are nitrogen‐fixing plants that act as green manure because of the amount of mass produced. The mode of action of some species has already been investigated, but this has yet to be elucidated for many plants researched as antagonists. Thus, this study aimed to assess the penetration and reproduction of Meloidogyne javanica on the root system of three species of crotalaria, as well as Mucuna deeringiana, Cajanus cajan, Canavalia ensiformis, Macrotyloma axillare and Stylosanthes capitata, with soya bean used as control treatment. Thus, plants inoculated with the nematode were assessed 5, 10, 15 and 20 days after inoculation (DAI), for nematode penetration and development. After 60 days of inoculation, the nematode reproduction factor (RF) was assessed. The plants did not prevent M. javanica penetration, which differed at varying degrees, according to the time of assessment and the plant species investigated. However, the nematode reproduction was impaired in all the leguminous crops assessed, with (RF)<1 in all the plants, while in soya bean the RF values were 2.85 and 2.56, in the respective experiments.