Abstract

Tagetes minuta is a plant presenting pest and disease control potential, although its activity on some plant parasite nematode species is poorly investigated. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the best T. minuta propagation way, as well as the plant reaction to nematodes such as Heterodera glycines, Meloidogyne incognita and Pratylenchus brachyurus, through nematode penetration and reproduction studies and root morphological assessments. Seedlings obtained from woody cuttings showed larger rooting and stem diameter. Heterodera glycines penetration was higher than that recorded for M. incognita. However, both species recorded reproduction factor (RF) lower than one, as well as maximum RF values 0.34 and 0.02 for H. glycines and M. incognita, respectively. The highest FR recorded for T. minuta were found in P. brachyurus (0.96 and 0.80) in the 60^th and 80^th day after inoculation (DAI). Root anatomy changes were observed in the 80^th DAI in plants inoculated with P. brachyurus. Tagetes minuta was resistant to all nematodes; however, it did not prevent P. brachyurus activity in its roots.

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