TITLE:
Performance of Green Manures in the Control of Meloidogyne incognita
AUTHORS:
André Sarabia Zamarian, Leticia Sttela Santos, Beatriz Kuppas, Jose Renato Stangarlin, Odair Jose Kuhn, Vandeir Francisco Guimarães, Danielle Mattei
KEYWORDS:
Root-Knot Nematode, Cultural Control, Cover Plants
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.16 No.11,
November
14,
2025
ABSTRACT: The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita is one of the most prevalent species in Brazil, causing significant damage to several crops. This pathogen induces the formation of root galls through hypertrophy and hyperplasia of cells. To mitigate these losses, cultural control with cover crops has shown promising results, since antagonistic species can reduce nematode reproduction while improving soil physical and chemical properties. This study evaluates the efficacy of nine green manure species in controlling the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita in a greenhouse experiment. Using a susceptible soybean cultivar as a control, the authors measured nematode final population and reproduction factor (RF). The study found that all tested green manures were resistant (RF Stylosanthes capitata demonstrating immunity (RF = 0), effectively suppressing nematode reproduction.