Book on nematodes in vegetables is unprecedented in national literature

To fill the gap in qualified information on nematode management in vegetable crops, Embrapa published a publication that presents the species of these worms most common in vegetables and the measures that must be adopted to ensure adequate control for the sustainability of production systems. This is the book “Nematodes in Vegetables”, launched during the opening of the 34th Brazilian Nematology Congress, which takes place this week in Vitória/ES.

“There is little international literature on the problems caused by nematodes in vegetables and, certainly, this is the first book written in Portuguese on this specific topic”, points out the author Jadir Borges Pinheiro, who has been carrying out research on the management of nematodes in vegetables for ten years. different species of vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots and peppers.

Nematodes are cylindrical-shaped worms that parasitize animal and plant species. Among the best known are “roundworms”, which parasitize the digestive tract of humans and other vertebrates. In the case of vegetables, nematodes are microscopic, live in the soil and, therefore, cause damage to plant roots. By affecting the absorption and transport of nutrients in the plant, they reduce the vigor and production of the crop and, in more extreme cases, cause the death of the plant.

“The presence of nematodes in the soil can cause great damage to farmers, due to lower productivity and the low quality of harvested vegetables, especially in the case of roots and tubers, which develop underground”, explains Pinheiro, highlighting that the information from the book are categorized by the edible parts of vegetables such as leaves, fruits, bulbs, among others.

The importance of nematodes for vegetables is worldwide, especially in tropical regions, since high temperatures and humidity favor the multiplication of the pest in the soil. “With didactic language and illustrative figures, the focus of the publication is to facilitate the visualization of symptoms and offer information on collecting samples for diagnosing the area and on management measures to contain the problem”, ponders the researcher. He also highlights that the proposal was to organize a practical book that could function as a reference base for producers, extensionists and students.

The importance of good agricultural practices

Some inappropriate agricultural practices contribute to the worsening of nematode infestation. The main hypotheses for the introduction and spread of species in a given area are vegetable seedlings of poor origin, lack of crop rotation and the use of unsanitized machinery.

Preventive actions to prevent nematodes from entering cultivation areas are the most recommended measures because, once these organisms enter crops, they can remain in the soil for decades. Added to this is the fact that there are few products registered to control this parasite in vegetables. Therefore, inappropriate management such as planting the same species for several consecutive years can compromise the health of the production field.

The nematode survives in any soil particle, however tiny. For this reason, the correct cleaning of seedling trays and agricultural machinery, which are important dissemination vehicles, is essential to avoid the transport of nematodes between different production areas.

As it is not possible to completely eradicate nematodes after contamination of a field, adopting good agricultural practices reduces the risk of high infestations, especially in protected cultivation areas, which have environmental conditions favorable to the reproduction of these microorganisms. “When it comes to nematodes, spreading knowledge and adopting prevention measures are the best paths to follow and the new book addresses both fronts”, concludes the researcher.

Service

The book “Nematodes in vegetables” is available for sale on the Embrapa Bookstore for the value of R$ 45,00 each copy. Other information can be obtained by calling (61) 3448-4236.