Potential of biological control of Meloidogyne by nematophagous fungi and bacteria in coffee

Abstract

The national coffee producers recognize root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) as one of the main factors limiting coffee production which drastically affect the root system, causing root swellings (galls), necrosis and root cracking, depriving plants of water and nutrients and reducing productivity. Amongst the species related to coffee, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood, 1949, M. exigua Goeldi, 1887, M. coffeicola Lordello & Zamith, 1960, and M. paranaensis Carneiro et al., 1996, are the most important. The nematode infestation may restrict the establishment of new coffee plantation as well as restrict the existing ones. The biological control of Meloidogyne spp. has a great potential to become one of the most effective mechanisms in controlling this disease which affects a wide group of cultivated species of economic interest, including coffee. This review aims to raise information about the fungus Arthrobotrys sp., Monacrosporium sp. and of the bacterium Pasteuria penetrans (Thorne) Sayre & Starr (1985) as biocontrol agents of Meloidogyne. Research on this matter has shown some success. This study considers the specificity of fungusnematode, bacterium-nematode, and also the use of inoculants to apply on fungi and bacteria.