Anatomical alterations caused by Meloidogyne incognita in roots of Ipomoea purpurea, a weed of soybean crop

CABRERA, V.; DOTTORI, N.; LAX, P.; CUELLO, J.; DOUCET, M. E.

NEMATROPICA

ORGANIZATION TROP AMER NEMATOLOGISTS

Lugar: Florida; Año: 2012

0099-5444

Soybean acreage in Argentina has increased significantly recently. At the same time, problems related to associated weeds, such as species of the genus Ipomoea, also increased. In addition to the damage these weeds naturally cause, they may serve as hosts of economically important plant-parasitic nematodes, especially of the genus Meloidogyne. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the nematode-host relationship, based on an analysis of histological changes induced by Meloidogyne incognita on roots of Ipomoea purpurea. The material was obtained from a cultivated soybean field in the province of Córdoba (Argentina). Macroscopically, galls of variable size containing one or several females were observed. In the histopathological analysis, giant cells surrounded by normal parenchyma cells, as well as a displacement, disorganization and reduction of tissues in the central cylinder were detected. The results show a close parasite-host relationship. The presence of I. purpurea in cultivated soybean fields favours the establishment and persistence of M. incognita in the area. Hence, weed control, especially of I. purpurea, is of particular importance for soybean crop protection.