Seed treatment for management of Meloidogyne javanica in soybean

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the active ingredient abamectin, either in isolation or in combination with fungicides and insecticides formulated for the industrial seed treatment, on the population of Meloidogyne javanica, tested under greenhouse and in vitro conditions. In both tests, the combination of the following treatments was assessed: abamectin; thiamethoxam; fludioxonil + metalaxyl-M + thiabendazole. Water was used as control for the in vitro assay, whereas under greenhouse conditions, controls were inoculated and not inoculated with M. javanica. The tests were conducted in a completely randomized design with six (in vitro) and ten (greenhouse) replicates. For in vitro studies the effect on hatching, motility, and mortality of juveniles of M. javanica was evaluated. Under greenhouse conditions, the soybean ‘BRS 133’ seeds were treated, and at 15, 30, and 60 days after inoculation (DAI) with M. javanica, plant measurements were recorded. The penetration of second stage juveniles (J2) was also evaluated at 15 DAI. At 30 DAI, galls, egg masses, nematodes/g of root, and final population were evaluated. At 60 DAI, the final population of nematodes in the roots was quantified. The treatments containing abamectin were the most effective in diminishing the hatching of juveniles. All treatments had an effect on nematode motility when compared to the control, and in the treatment containing only abamectin, total juvenile mortality was observed. In greenhouse conditions, at 15 DAI, the treated soybean plants had the highest root mass and shoot length, differing statistically from the inoculated control. All treatments reduced the number of nematodes per gram of root, differing from the control. At 30 DAI, treatment efficiency was observed in reducing the final population of M. javanica, particularly the treatments using abamectin, and abamectin + thiamethoxam + fludioxonil + metalaxyl-M + thiabendazole. However, at 60 DAI, the effect of the treatments on the population of M. javanica did not persist.