Reproduction factor of Meloidogyne javanica, M. incognita and Pratylenchus brachyurus in sorghum, millet and sunflower varieties

The use of agricultural species resistant to root-knotting and root-wounding nematodes, in crop rotation systems, keeps the nematode population at low levels, reducing losses and enabling the planting of more susceptible species. In this study, the resistance of sorghum, millet and sunflower genotypes to root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne javanica, M. incognita and Pratylenchus brachyurus was evaluated. The tests were conducted in a greenhouse and the genotypes sown in plastic pots containing 2 L of sterilized substrate and inoculated with 1,600 nematode eggs and juveniles per pot, arranged in a completely randomized design with nine replications. The evaluation of nematode reproduction was performed by counting the number of juveniles/adults per root system and soil, calculating the Reproduction Factor (FR = Pf/Pi). According to the results, all sorghum, millet and sunflower genotypes behaved as resistant to the reproduction of M. javanica, M. incognita and P. brachyurus. Commercial resistant genotypes are indicated for use in rotation of areas infested by these nematodes.