Crop rotation with Crotalaria ochroleuca and Urochloa ruziziensis and plant-parasitc nematodes of sugarcane

Abstract

Plant-parasitic nematodes cause extensive damage each year to sugarcane crops in Brazil. Since it is almost impossible to eradicate nematodes in a field, several practices must be used to handle an infested area, including growing cover crops between sugarcane cycles. This study aimed to determine the effects of Crotalaria ochroleuca and Urochloa ruziziensis in the sugarcane renewal field on the nematode population in subsequent sugarcane roots and soil. Growing C. ochroleuca between sugarcane cycles contributes to reducing the populations of Meloidogyne incognita and a mix of Pratylenchus zeae and P. brachyurus in sugarcane roots and soil at least in the first two months after planting. On the other hand, growing U. ruziziensis between two sugarcane cycles does not interfere with the M. incognita and P. zeae populations in sugarcane roots.