Embrapa research identifies harmful nematode to industrial tomato cultivation in Brazil

The cultivation of tomatoes for industrial processing has been affected by a species of nematode that hindered plant growth, a condition known as ″locked tomato.″ 

The pest also damaged the roots by causing root atrophy, resulting in up to an 80% reduction in productivity.

Experts estimated that 554 hectares have already been affected by the pathogen in cultivation areas in the Brazilian state of Goiás.

″Through preliminary analysis, based on the symptoms presented, it was considered that phytonematodes could be the cause of the problem,″ explained Jadir Pinheiro, a researcher responsible for the Nematology Laboratory at Embrapa Hortaliças.

Photo by Alice Duval and Henrique Carvalho

According to the researcher, the diagnosis made after a series of integrated actions revealed that the root-lesion nematode (Pratylenchus brachyurus), a new harmful agent in the industrial tomato production chain, was responsible for attacking the plants.

Pinheiro explained that with the intensification of agriculture in the country and the expansion of new planting areas, Pratylenchus brachyurus - previously considered a secondary pathogen for industrial tomato cultivation - has been causing severe damage in commercial plantations in major production hubs in Central Brazil.

The researcher suggested ″preventive control″ as the primary tool to address this issue. He recommended a series of actions to prevent pathogen infestation. 

Photo by Alice Duval and Henrique Carvalho

According to him, producers should also incorporate organic matter into the soil, which increases the population of microorganisms antagonistic to nematodes, enriches the area, and makes plants more tolerant to infection. Proper irrigation management helped reduce nematode population and movement, as well as delayed plant infection and soil infestation.

The specialist also recommended removing and destroying contaminated crop residues, never incorporating them into the cultivation area, and rotating crops with non-host plants, especially crotalarias, particularly Crotalaria spectabilis, which does not multiply the root-lesion nematode. Pinheiro stated that crotalarias are excellent green manures and good soil conditioners.

″In most of the areas evaluated, crop rotation with soybeans, corn, and rice worsened the problem, as these crops efficiently multiply P. brachyurus, especially soybeans, which have caused significant losses in recent years,″ Pinheiro said in conclusion.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)