Potencial de Bacillus aryabhattai para o controle de Meloidogyne incognita na cultura do milho

Abstract

Nematodes can cause up to 40% loss in maize yield. An alternative control is through the use of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). Thus, the present study aimed at testing the potential of the Bacillus aryabhattai to control the nematode Meloidogyne incognita in maize plant. Two experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design with 10 replications, in a 2x2x2 factorial scheme. In the first experiment: with or without nematode, with or without B. aryabhattai, with or without water stress. In the second experiment: with or without nematodes, B. aryabhattai applied on the seeds or in the planting furrow, with or without water stress. Sixty days after the inoculation of M. incognita,the parameters of vegetative growth and nematode population were evaluated. The bacterium Bacillus aryabhattai did not reduce the reproduction of Meloidogyne incognita. However, application in the planting furrow provided greater suppression of the nematode compared to the application on the seeds. Bacillus aryabhattai increased the stem height and diameter under water stress conditions. Water stress at 30% reduced plant vegetative growth.