Em levantamento nematológico realizado durante quatro anos (1977-1981), envolvendo 157 amostras de raízes e solo da rizosfera de bananeiras (Musa spp.) coletadas em diversos estados brasileiros, obtiveram-se as seguintes porcentagens, de amostras positivas e densidades populacionais em 10g de raízes, respectiva mente para as espécies de nematóides identificadas: Helicotylenchus dihystera (23,5%-272), Heliootylenchus multicinctus (80,2%-1770), Macroposthonia ornata (1,2%-122), Meloidogyne spp.(55,4%--725), Radopholus sinilis (43,3%-1326), Rotylenchulus reniformis (7,6%-225) e Tylenchus sp. (0,6%-114). H. multicinatus foi a espécie mais abundante e distribuída. R. similis foi encontrado somente em áreas cultivadas com bananeiras Cavendish, com elevadas populações associadas a marcantes sintomas de presença do parasito. Meloidogyne spp. e //. dihyslera foram espécies amplamente distribuídas e possivelmente causem danos econômicos. A ocorrência ainda restrita de R. similis sugere a adoção de enérgicas medidas de controle visando a impedir a sua disseminação no País e a proteção de outros cultivos eventuais hospedeiros.

A survey on parasitic nematodes was carried out in several banana-growing regions of Brazil for a period of 4 years. It included 157 samples of roots and soil from the rizosphere of banana plants (Musa spp). The following percentual values of positive samples and population density were respectively obtained for the nematode species identified: Helicotylenchus dihystera (23.5%-272), Helicotylenchus multicinotus (80.2%-1770), Macroposthonia ornata (1.2%-122), Meloidogyne spp. (55.4%-725). Radopholus similis (43.3%-1326), Rotylenchulus reniformis (7-6%-225), and Tylenchus sp. (0.6%-114). H. multicinctus was the most abundant and widely spread species. R. similis was found only in areas where Cavendish banana plants have been grown, large populations being associated with remarkable parasitic symptoms. Meloidogyne spp. and H. dihystera have been widely distributed and probably promote economical damage. The still restricted distribution of R. simiLis suggests that strong control measures to be adopted, in order to avoid its dissemination throughout the country and to assure the protection of other crops which could be eventual hosts of this nematode.

Com o objetivo de se obter informações sobre o desenvolvimento de Meloidogyne exigua Goeldi, 1887, em raízes de cafeeiro (Coffea arabica L.) cv. Mundo Novo, em três ambientes, plântulas no estágio do primeiro par de folhas verdadeiras foram transplantadas para copos plásticos com 25O ml de solo. Trinta dias depois, cada muda foi infestada com 600 larvas pré-parasitas e transferidas para as diversas condições de estudo: casa de vegetação, sala de temperatura constante e próximo de plantas adultas num cafezal. As raízes foram coletadas cada dois dias, coloridas e dissecadas, sendo os exemplares de M. exigua classificados de acordo com o estádio de desenvolvimento. Os resultados permitiram concluir que o desenvolvimento de M. exigua foi influenciado pela temperatura, e, que da penetração das larvas às fêmeas com ovos foram necessários, respectivamente, 25,3 dias à temperatura média de 25,8°C, 37,3 dias a 22,1°C e 38 dias a 22,4ºC, para a casa de vegetação, sala de temperatura constante e cafezal. A temperatura base estimada a partir dos resultados obtidos pelo método do coeficiente de variação foi 15°C. Foram necessárias, em média, 6580 unidades de calor, acima de 15°C, para M. exigua completar o seu desenvolvimento.

Coffee seedlings (Coffea arabica L.) cv. Mundo Novo showing a single pair of leaves were transplanted to pots containing 250 ml of soil. After 30 days, the pots received 600 second stage larvae and were transferred to different environmental conditions, namely a greenhouse, a constant temperature room and a coffee field. Roots collected every two days were stained and dissected for classification of the developmental stages of the nematodes found in. Results showed that Meloidogyne exigua was influenced by temperature, requiring from the penetration of pre-parasitic larvae to egg-laying female stage, 25.3 days at the mean temperature of 25.8°C in the greenhouse, 37.3 days at 22.1ºC in the room, and 38 days at 22.4°C in the coffee field. The minimum threshold temperature for development of this species was found to be 15°C in this experiment. The mean of 6,580 centigrade hours above 15°C was necessary for M. exigua to complete its development.

Vinte cultivares de banana (Musa spp.) foram avaliados em condições naturais de infestação em relação aos nematóides formadores de galhas Meloidogyne incognita e M. javanica, espécies estas mais difundidas no País. Verificou-se que todos os cultivares foram susceptíveis a M. incognita e oito a M. javanica. Suspeitou-se, no entanto, que caso houvesse infestação uniforme do nematóide javanês, todos os cultivares seriam eventualmente parasitados. Descrevem-se também os sintomas apresentados pelos sistemas radiculares dos cultivares. Do ponto de vista econômico, resta recomendar remoção das raízes das mudas e do solo a elas aderido, e plantio em solos preferencialmente livres de Meloidogyne spp.

Twenty banana cultivars (Musa spp.) were exposed in natural conditions to infestation by two root knot nematodes, namely Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica. It was found that all cultivars were attacked by M. incognita and eight by M. javanica. However, in an uniform infestation by the Javanese nematode, all cultivars would be eventually attacked by this species. Symptoms shown by the radicular systems are described. Bruning of "seedling" root and cleaning the soil adhering to them, and planting them in soils not infested with Meloidogyne spp. are recommended.

Os nematóides Radopholus similis e Helicotylenchus multicinctus são importantes inimigos da bananicultura no Brasil e alhures. Afim de verificar a susceptibilidade dos cultivares Prata e Mysore à infestação pelos mesmos, foram conduzidos dois experimentos de campo no Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Mandioca e Fruticultura, em Cruz das Almas, BA. Os dois cultivares se revelaram tolerantes aos dois nematóides, sendo a sua reprodução menor nestas bananeiras do que em plantas do cultivar nanicão, referido como testemunha. Prate revelou-se o pior hospedeiro.

Two field trials were performed at the Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Mandioca e Fruticultura (Cruz das Almas, Ba), to study the susceptibility of two banana cultivars (Prata and Mysore) to the nematodes Radopholus similis and Helicotylenchus multicinctus. Both cultivars showed to be tolerant hosts to both nematodes, their reproduction being lower in these banana plants than in Nanicão cultivar. Prata was a host worst than Mysore. Nanicão is referred to as a check cultivar.

O presente trabalho trata de nematóides associados a raízes de 71 plantas invasoras, nas quais revelou-se a presença de 8 gêneros e 18 espécies parasitas. As espécies, pela ordem decrescente de freqüência foram: Helicotylenchus dihystera (46%) ; Meloidogyne javanica (24%) ; Meloidogyne incognita (23%); Macroposthonia ornata (17%); Pratylenchus brachyurus (16%) ; Pratylenchus zeae (14%) ; Xiphinemaseiariae (11%); Xiphinema krugi (10%); Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus (5,6%); Meloidogyne arenaria (4,2%); Helicotylenchus dUiysteroides (4,2%) ; Tylenchorhynchus martini (4,2%) ; Aphelenchoides sp. (2,8%) ; Ditylenchus sp. (2,8%) ; Helicotylerfichus microcephalus (2,8%) ; Xiphinema elongatum (2,8%) ; Helicotylenchus egyptiensis (1,4%) e Meloidogyne coffeicola (1,4%). São feitas considerações sobre as implicações para a agricultura de tão ampla distribuição de nematóides em plantas colonizadoras e gramíneas utilizadas como forrageiras.

Plant parasitic nematodes associated with roots of 71 weed plant species were collected from selected cultivated areas of Brazil. Eight genera and 18 species of plant parasitic nematodes were reported. The species were recovered in the following decending order of frequency: Helicotylenchus dihystera (46%); .Meloidogyne javanica (24%); Meloidogyne incognita (23%) ; Macroposthonia ornata (17%) ; Pratylenchus brachyurus (16%); Pratylenchus zeae (14%); Xiphinema, setariae (11%); Xiphinema krugi (10%); Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus (5.6%); Meloidogyne arenaria (4.2%) ; Helicotylenchus dihysteroides (4.2%) ; Tylenchorhynchus martini (4.2%) ; Aphelenchoides sp. (2.8%); Ditylenchus sp. (2.8%); Helicotylenchus microcephalus (2.8%); Xiphinema elongatum (2.8%) ; Helicotylenchus egyptiensis (1.4%) ; and Meloidogyne coffeicola (1.4%). Considerations were given to the agricultural production implications of the wide distribution of nematodes associated with weed plants and pasture grasses.

Coletaram-se plantas do gênero Coffea e de diversas ervas daninhas, as quais foram examinadas em laboratório visando verificar a ocorrência de nematóides do gênero Meloidogyne Goeldi, 1887. As plantas parasitadas por M. exigua, M. incognita, M. arenaria e por uma espécie não identificada, referida como Meloidogyne sp., são. apresentadas. Indicam-se os hospedeiros novos de alguns dos nematóides mencionados e confirma-se o parasitismo de outras plantas, nas condições estudadas.

Root-knot nematodes were found attacking Coffea spp. and also roots of a few weed species usually found in the coffee orchards in São Paulo. C. arabica cv. Catuaí, C. arabica cv. Mundo Novo, Timor Hybrid and a few plants of C. racemosa showed to be susceptible to Meloidogyne exigua. Roots of Ageratum conyzoides, Amaranthus viridis, Bidens pilosa, Coffea arabica cv. Mundo Novo, Coffea racemosa, Commelina virginica, Digitaria sanguinalis, Galinsoga parviflora, Gnaphalium spathulatum, Porophyllum ruderale, Portulaca oleracea, Pterocaulon virgatum and Solanum americanum were disfigured by M. incognita M. arenaria was found attacking roots of Eleusine indica and Gnaphalium spathulatum, and the presence of an unidentified Meloidogyne species was verified in roots of the following species: Vernonia ferruginea, C. arabica x C. canephora, Eupatorium pauciflorum, Coffea canephora cv. Kouillou, Coffea eugenioides, Coffea racemosa, Coffea stenophylla, Euphorbia pilullifera, Solanum americanum, Ageratum conyzoides, Phyllanthus corcovadensis, and Emilia sagittata.

Foram realizados testes afim de conhecer as plantas hospedeiras e não hospedeiras de um nematóide verificado atacando cafeeiro (Coffea arabica L) em Castelo Branco Pr. Sementes de 56 culturas de importância econômica e de 23 ervas daninhas foram semeadas em recipientes contendo solo artificialmente infestado pelo nematóide, o qual havia sido previamente identificado como Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White, 1919) Chitwood, 1949.

Tests were performed in order to evaluate the reaction of a number of crops and weed species to a nematode found attacking coffee trees in Brazil, namelly Meloidogyne incognita. Plants which revealed to be susceptible as well as plants found not attacked by this parasite are listed.

Foram realizadas provas para conhecer a reação de 54 culturas e 34 ervas más ao nematóide Meloidogyne exigua. Nenhuma planta se revelou sensível ao parasito, apresentando-se atacadas apenas as variedades de Coffea arabica e um híbrido de C. arabica e C. excelsa.

Tests were performed in order to evaluate the reaction of 54 crops and 34 weed species to M. exigua. None revealed to be susceptible to this parasite. Several of the species were attacked by other root-knot nematodes, to which they are well known hosts.

Coffea dewevrei var. excelsa and Coffea canephora var. robusta are recorded as new hosts for Meloidogyne coffeicola (Nemata, Heteroderidae). Robusta coffee was found also attacked by M. javanica. Symptoms shown by roots are described.

A família Mononchidae de nematóides predadores encerra presentemente 16 gêneros, dos quais 7 foram encontrados no País. Tôdas as espécies referidas para a nossa fauna são alistadas, com observações sobre sua morfologia, hábitos, etc. É descrita uma espécie nova - Sporonchulus paucidentatus, e redescritas varias outras com base em espécimes brasileiros. O autor discute ainda a morfologia e o papel dos nematoides da família em causa como membros do complexo biótico do solo e dá chaves para auxiliar o reconhecimento dos gêneros e especies constatados no País.

The following items concerning Mononchid nematodes are dealt with in this paper: a) A historical review of the family Mononchidae from the establishment of the type genus Mononchus Bastian, 1865, to our present days. Sixteen genera are recognized in the family. Morphology, based particularly on species found in Brazil. c) A review of the role assumed by the Mononchidae as members of the biotic complex of soil, with observations on behavior of species found in Brazil. Two Mononchus papillatus females showed in the gut larvae apparently belonging to its own species, thus confirming occurrence of cannibalism. d) A description of a new species (Sporonchulus paucidentatus n. sp.) and redescriptions of a few other forms that the author found in the Country for the first time. These were: Sporonchulus dentatus, Mononchus papillatus, Mylonchulus incurvus and Mylonohulus sigmaturus. A species closely resembling M. incurvus is described and provisionaly named Mylonchulus sp. Diagnosis of S. paucidentatus n. sp. - A Sporonchulus having the dimensions cited in the description, an arcuated tail, and stoma armed with 4 subventral denticles only. e) A key for separating the genera known to occur in Brazil. f) A list of the species of Mononchidae found in Brazil, with citation of the pertinent literature and observations on distribution, morphology, habits, etc. g) Keys for separating the species of the genera found in the Country.

This paper deals with one genus and three species of dorylaimid nematodes found inhabiting soil in Brazil, as follows: Eudorylaimus ibiti Lordello, 1965. Closely resembling E. ibiti are E. humilis (Thorne & Swanger, 1936) Andrássy, 1959, E. diadematus (Cobb, 1936) Andrássy, 1959, and E. santosi (Meyl, 1957) Andrássy, 1959. it differs from E. humilis in the following aspects: a) longer and thicker body (1,126.0-1,520.8: 1,000 microns; a=21.0-26.0 : a= 31); b) less prominent lips; and, c) tail terminus decidedly acute; differs from E. diadematus in having: a) less prominent lips; b) posterior region of body ventrally concave; and, c) a different organization in the walls of the pre-rectum; differs from E. santosi in having: a) longer body (1,126.0-1,520.8 : 900-1,000 microns); b) spear with undiscernible aperture; c) a different organization in the guiding-ring of spear; and, d) caudal papillae closer together and located in front of the middle of the tail. Mesodorylaymus pizai Lordello, 1965. M. pizai most closely resembling species is M. mesonyctius (Kreis, 1930) Andrássy, 1959, from which it differs in having: a) lip region amalgamated, continuous with neck contour (lateral view); b) males with 11-12 supplements; and, c) females with longitudinal vulva. Metaporcelaimus Lordello, 1965. This genus differs from Aporcelaimus Thorne & Swanger, 1936, in having oesophagus made up of three regions, a cardia like structure being seen between the posterior and middle parts. Type species: M.mombucae Lordello, 1965.

Caryboca paranaensis n.g., n.sp. (Nemata, Actinolaimidae) was found inhabiting soil around coffee roots sent in from Cornélio Procópio, State of Paraná, Brazil. Definition of the new genus: Actinolaimidae, Actinolaiminae. Lip region distinctly offset by a constriction and showing a cuticularized basket-like structure provided with lateral denticles and two rather strong teeth pointing forwards. Cuticular rod-like thickenings extending back from the basket-like structure to the guiding-ring. Anterior part of oesophagus a non-muscular, narrow tube; posterior part wider and provided with strongly developed radial musculature. Gonads paired and reflexed. Tail attenuated, pointed. Males and food habits unknown. Caryboca n.g. differs from Actinolaimus Cobb, 1913, by having a labial basket-like structure as well as by the non-muscular nature of the anterior part of oesophagus. Caryboca n.g. differs from Carcharolaimus Thome, 1939, by having two strong pharingeal teeth and pointed tail.

Eight root-knot nematode forms are known to occur in Brazil, namely Meloidogyne exigua, M. incognita, M. j. javanica, M. j. bauruensis, M. inornata, M. hapla, M. arenaria arenaria and M. coffeicola. After presenting a historical resume of the root-knot disease, as well as observations on symptoms, distribution and spread, and life history of the nematodes, a study of the morphological characters used in identification of species is made, a key for separating the forms referred to above being also prepared. As no information on host plants of the coffee root-knot nematode (M. exigua) was available, a few tests were performed, as an attempt to infect several plant species. Pepper (Capsicum annuun) was the only plant attacked by M. exigua, having failed all attempts to infect nine other plants, including tomato var. Rutgers. M. exigua incited formation of galls on roots of cucumber, but no adult female was found in the tissue. In a final chapter dealing with control, a review of all methods available is presented.