Biological management against nematodes in coffee plantations

Coffee production is one of the most important activities in the agribusiness economy in Brazil. We are the leader in world coffee production, with 46,87 million bags produced in the 20/21 harvest, according to the National Supply Company (CONAB) and we are in first place in the ranking in exports to the foreign market. The cultivation of coffee until it reaches the cup involves a chain, from its production with the coffee farmer dedicated to producing quality beans, cooperatives, resellers, brokers, roasters, until it reaches coffee shops and in our homes as consumers.

According to research carried out by the Biological Institute, an estimate indicates that productivity can be reduced by around 20% due to the action of nematodes. In coffee plantations in Brazil, the main infestations are of phytonematodes of the genera Meloidogyne sp. e Pratylenchus sp., the main species being M. unexplained e M. paranaensis, which affect the root system of the coffee tree, causing necrosis and cracks, giving it a corky appearance and damaging the main roots. Already the M. exigua penetrates and forms galls in the root system, composed of absorbent roots, in low populations they affect production less compared to other species of the genus, however, the higher the population level and frequency of reboleiras with plants attacked by this species, the greater the impact on production.  

The occurrence of these species affects the absorption of water and nutrients, harming the development of plants, which become weak, depleted, directly influencing productivity and even die. Other species of this genus also affect coffee cultivation, including M. coffeicola, an important species that damages the primary root system, but due to its reduced number of hosts and low permanence, it can be more easily managed. Nematodes of the genus Pratylenchus sp. They cause lesions on the roots and concern about the occurrence of species of this genus has increased in recent years, which can affect seedlings and plants in production.

The spread of nematodes can occur through infested seedlings, floods, the movement of agricultural implements with clods of soil containing nematodes and the movement of people. Therefore, it is important for coffee growers to pay attention to preventive management so that the nematode population does not get out of control.

Understanding the great importance that coffee represents to the production sector, FMC continually works in search of solutions and innovations to combat the challenges of pests and diseases in coffee plantations, in order to maintain field production with high productivity, quality and sustainability. . The company's objective is to protect the crop and we have the campaign “Every Coffee Bean is a reason to be proud!”, developed together with the sector, where the purpose is to value coffee growers who work continuously to produce quality coffee beans.

FMC is a pioneer in the biological market in Brazil and seeks biological solutions for the sustainable management of coffee plantations, for effective prevention and control of phytonematodes. FMC has in its portfolio the bionematicide Quartzo®, which works with high efficiency in integrated management, and is recommended to combat the main phytonematodes of coffee plants such as root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne sp.) and lesion nematode (Pratylenchus sp.), in addition, it promotes better root development and consequently reduces the impact of infestations of these species on production.

Driving

We selected four important integrated management steps with biologicals to control phytonematodes in coffee plantations:

1 - Sampling is the first step towards management. The recommended technique is to collect living, long roots and soil from the rhizosphere. The rainy season is the most suitable for this collection because it is the peak period for the nematode population and root development. From sampling, the producer will identify the nematode species present in the area and existing population. The number of points collected and the distribution in the area must be taken into consideration, since phytonematodes have high spatial variability, generally occurring in reboleiras. Therefore, it is important to identify symptomatic plants in the plot to collect samples from healthy plants close to them.

2 – Resistant Varieties – The renewal of coffee plantations with the planting of resistant cultivars in areas infested by nematodes is an important action to reduce populations and production to be less affected. Currently, there are coffee cultivars that tolerate some species of phytonematodes and are productive.

3 - Crop Rotation or Intercropping - Crop rotation is one of the most efficient techniques for controlling nematodes in annual crops. As it is a perennial crop, rotation is not possible, but it is possible to cultivate species between the coffee rows, taking care that these species are not hosts and multipliers of phytonematode species present in the area, which can including cultivating antagonistic plants, which can help reduce populations. From this, when we know which nematode is present in the area, we can effectively carry out crop rotation, in the case of renewing coffee plantations, or intercropping, choosing non-host plant species.

4 - Biological control - Biological control is a practical and efficient way to combat the nematode problem. Biological solutions based on various microorganisms, such as fungi and bacteria, mainly bacilli, have been used and show excellent results. In addition to promoting control, they favor better root development of plants and increase microbial activity in the soil, favoring the cycling and availability of nutrients. FMC TEM Soluções invests in this segment and believes that biological management will revolutionize agriculture. Combining biological control with other management practices favors better control and less impact on production.

Having planning, and focusing on these important steps, is a way to combat the population of phytonnematodes in coffee plantations with results.