Biodefensive Action of Rhamnolipids Produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa LBI 2A1 against the nematodes Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne javanica

• Grant number: 24/01174-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Roberta Barros Lovaglio
• Grantee: Aldry Ramos Menezes
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências da Natureza (CCN). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Campus de Lagoa do Sino. Buri , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Brazil is known worldwide as one of the largest producers of soybeans (Glycine max), being responsible for 27% of all world production. Considered one of the most important grains today, the dicotyledon occupies a large part of crops destined for agriculture and due to economic aspects, as well as being an efficient fixer of atmospheric nitrogen, it is the main crop to form part of crop-pasture rotation systems. However, the emergence of diseases caused by nematodes, especially the species M. javanica and M. incognita, are causing damage to the oilseed crop, with losses estimated at around 18% of the crop when attacked by M. javanica and between 20 and 30% in the case of M. incognita. Nematodes are found in almost all environments in the world and can cause damage to all plant parts, with roots being their main target. The use of pesticides on crop seedlings helps control pests, however, it contributes to the population's resistance over time. Microbial metabolites can be used as an alternative to control diseases caused by nematodes in soybean crops. Therefore, in this project, it is proposed to use biosurfactants, of the rhamnolipid type, produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa LBI 2A1, to control phytonematodes such as Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne javanica, which cause Root Gall disease in plants. The methodology that will be applied is based on experiments with the addition of different concentrations of the biosurfactant in question against phytonematodes. After data collection, the results will be analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. It is expected that the effect of rhamnolipids against nematodes will have a satisfactory result, in order to influence the use of biological alternatives to control the disease studied in this proposal.