Biological nematicides associated with biofertilizers in the management of Pratylenchus zeae in sugarcane

The aim of the present study was to assess Pratylenchus zeae control in sugarcane by using biological nematicides in association, or not, with biofertilizers. Sugarcane pre-sprouted seedlings were transplanted to pots and inoculated with 2 mL of a solution containing 1000 P. zeae in the planting furrows, treated with the combinations based on two biological nematicides, three biofertilizers, and their respective controls, and one absolute control (without treatment or nematode). Results evidenced that biological nematicides based on Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus spp., when applied alone, promoted reductions in the nematode population of 33.81 and 31.62%, respectively. For nematodes per gram of root, the reductions were 34.67 and 25.38%. On the other hand, biofertilizers efficiency in the nematode reproduction presented variations. However, all treatments reduced nematode penetration in the sugarcane root system, with reductions varying from 31.17 to 53.21%. The same was observed in the mortality test, where nematode mortality ranged from 38.95 to 81.10%.