NEMATOIDES ASSOCIADOS À CULTURA DA PALMA FORRAGEIRA NO MUNICÍPIO DE TACIMA - PB

Abstract

Forage cactus is one of the main sources of cattle fodder in the Northeast region of Brazil. It is also used for fruit production and human consumption. Given the importance of this cactus to this region, it is important to carry out studies that can relate the incidence of pathogens in this crop. Therefore, this study aimed to collect and identify the nematodes associated with forage cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica and Nopalea cochenilifera) in the municipality of Tacima, Paraíba State, Brazil. Samplings were performed in cultivation areas of forage cactus, where 12 to 20 sub-samples were collected, and each composite sample had 500g of soil. The samples were collected at a depth of 0 – 30 cm and packed in plastic bags. The centrifugal-flotation in sucrose solution technique was used to extract the nematodes from the soil samples. They were then taken to an inverted microscope for identification at the genus level. Eight genera of phytonematodes were identified in the soil samples: Meloidogyne ssp, Helicotylenchus ssp, Mesocriconema ssp, Rotylenchulus ssp, Pratylenchus ssp, Trichodorus ssp, Bursaphelenchus ssp, and Psylenchus ssp. There is a need for further studies so that it can be performed an appropriate culture management of these phytonematodes, aimed at preventing their dissemination to other agricultural productions and reducing the economic losses in this crop.