Acibenzolar-s-Methyl and Neem Oil in the Management of Nematodes in Sugarcane

Historically, sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is one of Brazil’s main agricultural products, leading the list of producing countries. Sugarcane is thus very important in Brazil, due to the socioeconomic impact of sugar and ethanol production. Phytonematodes are a constant threat to sugarcane cultivation, representing a high-risk and limiting phytosanitary problem for the crop. Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus are the most common genera in these areas. Studies have been carried out in an attempt to use alternative methods in the management of nematodes, aiming to reduce chemical control. Among these alternative measures, the use of resistance-inducing agents and natural nematicides has been explored. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of acibenzolar-S-methyl and neem oil, in the management of Meloidogyne spp. and Pratylenchus brachyurus in sugarcane. For this, experiments were carried out in greenhouse conditions. Enzymes involved in plant defense were also evaluated. M. javanica, M. incognita and P. brachyurus showed a reduction in population density as the doses of the resistance inducer and neem oil were increased. At higher doses, the nematode population increased again. The enzymatic activity of peroxidase, chitinase and β-1, 3 glucanase was not influenced by the treatments.