Combined use of a resistance inducer (Agro-Mos®) and micronutrients for the control of Meloidogyne javanica in soybean

Abstract

Elicitors of plant resistance are compounds that activate enzymatic processes involved in plant defense. Micronutrients also play an important role in plant responses against pathogens because they function as enzyme cofactors. Despite their well-known benefits, elicitors and micronutrients have been little investigated in nematode control. This study aimed to assess the effects of Agro-Mos® (a commercial biostimulant) and micronutrients (Zn and Mn), alone and combined, on soybean inoculated with Meloidogyne javanica. Seeds of soybean were sown in trays, treated 15 days after germination, and inoculated with 2000 eggs and juveniles of M. javanica at the time of transplanting. Treatments were as follows: 1 L/ha Agro-Mos®, 2 L/ha Metalosate® Zinc, 1.5 L/ha Metalosate® Manganese, Agro-Mos® + Zn, Agro-Mos® + Mn, and Agro-Mos® + Zn + Mn. Untreated inoculated and uninoculated plants were used as controls. At 60 days after inoculation, plants were harvested and evaluated for vegetative growth, nutrient content, and nematode parameters. All treatments were effective in reducing M. javanica population density in roots compared to the control. Agro-Mos®, Agro-Mos® + Zn, and Agro-Mos® + Zn + Mn were the most effective, reducing total nematode number and population density by 55–78% (P ≤ 0.05) in relation to the control. Agro-Mos® + Zn increased shoot dry weight. The results show that balanced fertilization can be used as part of an integrated nematode control strategy.