Agronomic efficacy of Ultra Root on nematodes in soybeans

A product with the potential to induce resistance also has a post-infection mechanism of action, reducing the efficiency of feeding sites or hindering the movement of the pest within tissues.

The use of Ultra Root applied in the sowing furrow reduced the number of nematodes per gram of roots by 82% and increased the mass of the soybean root system by 33%. The difficulties in managing these agents are great, as all control methods have limitations. Furthermore, chemical control leaves residues in the environment and biological control alters the soil microbiota. Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) and root lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus brachyurus) are among the main pathogens of soybean crops, as they are distributed throughout all producing regions. The first is a sedentary endoparasite, whose biological cycle depends on the formation and maintenance of an efficient feeding site. The second species is classified as a migratory endoparasite, which kills cells in the feeding process and, therefore, needs to move within the root tissue in search of living cells. Nematode management is complex, mainly due to its wide geographic distribution, host range, low genetic resistance of current cultivars and the formation of resistance structures. Thus, in recent years, interest in alternative management methods has grown. In this context, Ultra Root is an important ally, as controlling soil-dwelling pathogens is a permanent challenge.

The pre-infection control of these nematodes occurs through the action of Ultra Root in the soil, acting on eggs or young forms, in order to reduce their penetration into the roots. A product with the potential to induce resistance, such as Ultra Root, also has a post-infection mechanism of action, reducing the efficiency of feeding sites or making it difficult for the nematode to move within tissues. Ultra Root is a complex mixture of compounds of different biochemical nature that is 100% biodegradable for application in the sowing or planting furrows. It is an innovative formulation, containing soluble macro and micronutrients with protected fillers, rooting agents, biostimulants, organic acids, amino acids and microorganisms, being a complete formulation for crop implantation. Ultra Root works by stimulating the physiological processes of natural plant defense, inducing the synthesis of secondary metabolites to form physical and chemical barriers that hinder the penetration and development of these pathogens in plant tissues. The technological race for greater productivity, associated with sustainable development, has intensified in recent years, especially in the development of high quality and yield cultivars, in addition to modern equipment. Ultra Root is a cutting-edge product with disruptive technology that meets the needs of the field, as it goes beyond simple plant nutrition. 

Objective

The present work aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Ultra Root product, applied via sowing furrow, in controlling Pratylenchus brachyurus in soybeans.

Material and methods

The work was carried out in a greenhouse at the State University of Maringá, Umuarama Campus. Soybean seeds from cultivar M6410 IPRO were used. The experiment was installed using a completely randomized design with four treatments (control, chemical, biological and Ultra Root) and eight replications. Four days after sowing, soybeans were inoculated with a suspension containing 500 specimens of P. brachyurus. After 75 days, the plants were carefully collected, separating the aerial part and root. The roots were carefully washed and weighed, and were subsequently subjected to nematode extraction methods. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and the means were compared using the Tukey test at a 5% probability of error.

Results

The treatments resulted in gains in vegetative development when the dry mass of the aerial part and the fresh mass of the roots were analyzed. Ultra Root increased the mass of the soybean root system by 33%. Regarding the number of total nematodes, Ultra Root promoted a 75% reduction in P. brachyurus, the biological standard 54% and the chemical standard 33% (Figure 1). The reduction was even greater when the number of nematodes per gram of root was evaluated, which reached 82% with Ultra Root, 74% with biological and 54% with chemical treatment (Figure 2).

Conclusion

The results achieved in the present work showed that Ultra Root applied in the furrow was efficient in controlling root lesion nematodes, with results equal to or greater than chemical and biological ones, in addition to improving soybean development.

 

Cláudia R. D. Arieira, State University of Maringá