Population impact of Meloidogyne spp. on papaya cultivation intercropped with coffee plants

Abstract

The nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne contribute to reducing the production and commercial value of papaya (Carica papaya). This study aimed to carry out a population survey of Meloidogyne spp. in a Carica papaya cv. Aliança consortium with conilon coffee plants and investigated the potential impacts on the crop. Root samples from 40 papaya plants were collected and subjected to nematological analysis in the laboratory. The parameters of stem diameter, number of leaves, number of fruits, average weight of three fruits and the Meloidogyne spp. population per plant were also evaluated. The data was subjected to descriptive analysis and linear regression analysis to establish relationships between the collected variables. The Meloidogyne population ranged from 69 to 28351 individuals, and the regression analysis revealed a moderate effect on the evaluated characteristics, with a a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.8786 for stem diameter. However, more studies must be carried out in protected environments monitoring the entire development and productivity phase of the crop.