Use of organic amendments in the management of root-knot nematode in lettuce

Root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp., are among the most important parasites of the lettuce crop. Managing these organisms is difficult due to limitations in genetic (use of resistant cultivars) and chemical control. Thus, new practices should be sought to reduce their reproduction. The present study aimed to evaluate the application of organic amendments in the control of Meloidogyne incognita in lettuce. At first, tomato plants were inoculated to establish an initial population in the soil. After 60 days, the aerial part was discarded, and the lettuce seedlings were transplanted into pots. Two days after transplanting, the treatments bokashi, crambe cake, whey protein, cottonseed composted and shredded wood chip composted were applied at 20 g or 20 mL per pot. Water was applied as control treatment. After 70 days, bokashi and crambe meal reduced the number of eggs/g of root and promoted plant growth. Results obtained with whey protein, cottonseed meal and composted shredded wood chip did not differ from those obtained with the control treatment. Bokashi and crambe cake are effective in the M. incognita control under controlled conditions.