They generally measure 0,3 to 3 mm, but can cause billions in losses. We are talking about nematodes, organisms that live in different environments and that can parasitize plants and animals. The Brazilian Society of Nematology (SBN) estimates that these organisms can cause losses of R$35 billion per year to Brazilian agriculture. Aiming to share information on this subject, the Biological Institute (IB-APTA), of the Department of Agriculture and Supply of the State of São Paulo, will hold a webinar on October 28, at 18 pm, to answer public questions about nematodes. The online event is part of the series "What would you like to know about...?", held in partnership with the Agribusiness Research Development Foundation (Fundepag). Those interested in participating should register here.
The subject will be presented by IB researchers, Claudio Marcelo Gonçalves de Oliveira, specialist in plant parasitic nematodes, and Giane Serafim da Silva, specialist in animal parasitic nematodes. They will give a brief presentation about these parasites and then answer questions. Nayte Vitiello, deputy director of IB, will be moderated.
According to researchers, nematodes can live in different environments, from the oceans to the microscopic film of water that covers soil particles. Based on different eating habits, they can be divided into plant parasites, animal parasites and free-living (fungivores, bacteriophages, carnivores and omnivores). Both in plants and animals, they have extreme economic importance. One of the most important functional groups is that of plant parasitic nematodes that inhabit the soil or plant structures, such as leaves, stems and, mainly, roots. Nematodes that parasitize animals can be found in the gastrointestinal system as well as other organs.
Nematodes can attack the root system of various plants, causing impacts on annual or perennial crops, such as coffee. Because they live in the soil, controlling these organisms is very difficult, which is why the greatest efficiency is achieved by those producers who prevent their occurrence by not using contaminated seedlings when implementing the crop.
"The farmer should not 'plant nematodes', that is, use contaminated seedlings on his property. To do this, he needs to purchase certified seedlings, proven to be free from nematodes. The producer needs to understand that it is not an extra expense to acquire certified seedlings, but rather, the guarantee of successful production. Preventive control of nematodes is 100% efficient, while the use of chemical products to combat them has limited efficiency in perennial plants, such as coffee", explains Oliveira.
São Paulo has reference legislation to prevent the production of seedlings contaminated with these organisms. The State maintains the Phytosanitary Plant Defense Program for the production, storage, exhibition and commercialization of nematode-free propagation material for coffee, citrus and rubber trees and it was recognized as an example by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), in 2019 .
Oliveira explains that the rigor of São Paulo's legislation is due to scientific work carried out by institutions such as IB, which subsidized state phytosanitary legislation. According to him, in the 1970s, 70% of citrus seedlings produced in São Paulo were contaminated by nematodes. Today, after the new legislation, 100% of citrus seedlings are produced without contamination. "It's a very big benefit for the State and for the whole country", says the IB researcher.
According to Giane, in animals, infections by gastrointestinal nematodes stand out for causing significant damage to livestock, resulting from malnutrition, avitaminosis, gastrointestinal disorders, among others. "It is estimated that 10 million heads are lost each year as a result of parasites", in addition to production losses.
Several strategies have been suggested to control parasites, including adequate nutrition and management of animals and application schemes for anthelmintics, dewormers. "Treatments must be carefully monitored by producers, with appropriate technical indications, for successful production", explains the researcher from the Biological Institute.
The Instituto Biológico launched the webinar series "What would you like to know about…?", held in partnership with Fundepag, in July 2021. The online events are spaces for communication so that participants can clarify doubts with technicians from the IB on the topic of the day, in the form of an open and participatory discussion.
"The dynamics of each meeting consists of a brief didactic presentation of the topic and is then open to questions sent by the public to the technician. Producers, agronomists, veterinarians, biologists and other interested parties will be able to choose the topic of the next meeting, using forms sent by email", explains Nayte Vittielo, event coordinator and deputy director of the IB.
Considered strategic by the Department of Agriculture and Supply of the State of São Paulo, IB has been carrying out research related to the health of plants, animals and the environment and, consequently, consumers for over 90 years, being fundamental for São Paulo and Brazilian agriculture to gain and maintain your products in the main consumer markets in the world. "IB is always aware of the demands of the market and the population on issues related to safe food. Our research is focused on solving these problems", he states.
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