TECNOLOGIA ELETROMAGNÉTICA APLICADA NO CONTROLE DE Meloidogyne javanica EM TOMATEIRO

Abstract

Nematodes of the Meloidogyne genus are one of the main pathogen groups in tomato crops, causing physiological changes that vary depending on the plant infection level. The use of products to minimize their effects is very important; in this sense, the electromagnetic technology applied to irrigation water can be a viable alternative, reducing the harmful effect of parasitism by the nematode disorientation and by increasing the water and nutrient absorption. This paper aimed to evaluate the effect of magnetic treatment on irrigation water to control Meloidogyne javanica on tomato crops, on its development, and on the water stress condition. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, 2x2x2 factorial scheme, consisting of plants with and without inoculation irrigated with treated and untreated water, blades with 50% and 100% evapotranspiration, and seven replicates. Variables were evaluated related to plant growth, nematode reproduction factor (RF) at sixtieth day after inoculation (DAI), chlorophyll using SPAD-502® (Minolta) at fortieth DAI, and gas exchange at zero, fifteenth, and fortieth DAI using the infrared gas analyzer (IRGA). Data were subjected to Analysis of Variance and the qualitative factors had their means compared by Tukey's test at 5% significance and the quantitative factors were submitted to Regression Analysis. Electromagnetic treatment provided lower RF of nematodes, higher plant growth, gas exchange, chlorophyll content, and tolerance to water stress. The use of electromagnetized water allowed tomato to adapt to M. javanica infection under water stress and tolerance based on a clean technology, non-polluting the environment and not causing residual damage to the human species.