Control of Meloidogyne graminicola a Root-Knot Nematode Using Rice Plants as Trap Crops: Preliminary Results

Meloidogyne graminicola is one of the most harmful organisms in rice cultivation throughout world. This pest was detected for first time mainland Europe (Northern Italy) 2016 and subsequently added to EPPO Alert List. To date, few methods are available control M. new solutions required. In 2019, field trials using plants as trap crops were performed a Lombardy region where five plots three different management approaches staked out: (i) Uncultivated; (ii) Treated: separate cycles production sown destroyed each at second leaf stage; (iii) Control: left grow until end treated plots. The results showed that plots, nematode density root gall index lower than other two approaches. Moreover, plant population growth higher uncultivated conclusion, use crop technique gave good thus it could be phytosanitary measure this areas.