RESUMEN
The guava tree (Psidium guajava) is a tropical species native to South America and is recognized as the 11th most economically important fruit tree in Brazil. However, the presence of the nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii and the fungus Fusarium solani in the roots of guava plants leads to the development of root galls, causing significant damage. In contrast, the species P. guineense and P. cattleianum have been identified as resistant and immune to the nematode, respectively. In this study, the researchers aimed to compare the metabolomic profiles of infected and uninfected roots of P. guajava, P. cattleianum, and P. guineense using mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography (LC-MS). The goal was to identify secondary metabolites that could potentially be utilized as biochemical resources for nematode control. The findings of the study demonstrated that the plant metabolism of all three species undergoes alterations in response to the phytopathogen inoculation. By employing molecular networks, the researchers identified that the secondary metabolites affected by the infection, whether produced or suppressed, are primarily of a polar chemical nature. Further analysis of the database confirmed the polar nature of the regulated substances after infection, specifically hydrolysable tannins and lignans in P. guineense and P. cattleianum. Interestingly, a group of non-polar substances belonging to the terpene class was also identified in the resistant and immune species. This suggests that these terpenes may act as inhibitors of M. enterolobii, working as repellents or as molecules that can reduce oxidative stress during the infection process, thus enhancing the guava resistance to the nematode. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the metabolic alterations occurring in different Psidium spp. in response to M. enterolobii infection. The identification of specific secondary metabolites, particularly terpenes, opens up new possibilities for developing effective strategies to control the nematode and enhance guava resistance.
RESUMEN
ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to accomplish a survey on populations of Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus species in sugarcane farming areas in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. Twenty samples of soil and roots were processed to extract and quantify nematodes; however, the identification of Meloidogyne species was performed using only 12 samples. Pratylenchus spp. were reported at moderate population levels of 68-1556 specimens 50g-1 of roots and 2-298 specimens 100cm-3 of soil in twenty analyzed samples. For Meloidogyne spp., these values were of 12-487 specimens 50g-1 of roots and 0-140 specimens 100cm-3 of soil. Based on electrophoresis of esterase isozymes, M. incognita was reported to be the most frequent species, followed by M. javanica and M. arenaria. Pratylenchus species identified through morphometrical and morphological characteristics were P. zeae and P. brachyurus , with predominance for the first species. No significant correlation (P≤0.05) were reported between nematode populations and sugarcane cropping systems.
RESUMO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar um levantamento de espécies de Meloidogyne e de Pratylenchus existentes em áreas de cultivo de cana-de-açúcar, no estado de Alagoas. Vinte amostras de solo e raízes foram processadas para a extração e quantificação, sendo a identificação das espécies de Meloidogyne realizada em 12 amostras. Detectou-se a presença de Pratylenchus spp. em níveis populacionais médios de 68-1556 espécimes 50g-1 de raízes e 2-298 100cm-3 de solo, em todas as amostras. Para Meloidogyne spp., esses valores foram de 12-487 50g-1 de raízes e 0-140 100cm-3 de solo. Com base na eletroforese da isoenzima esterase, M. incognita foi a espécie mais frequente, seguida por M. javanica e M. arenaria . As espécies de Pratylenchus identificadas pelas características morfológicas e morfométricas, foram P. zeae e P. brachyurus , com predomínio da primeira espécie. Não houve correlações significativas (P≤0,05) entre as populações de nematoides e as características dos sistemas de cultivo de cana-de-açúcar.