Coffee agroecosystems in Mexico are main socioeconomic and environmental importance, conserving them is a priority for many people and private and public organizations. However, coffee corky-root disease represents a threat to the continuity of these plantations. The focus of this study was to determine the host status of some plant species commonly associated with shade coffee plantations in Veracruz, the observations indicate the potential of M. paranaensis to reproduce adequately in at least 5 species evaluated with different degrees of susceptibility. In general, Meloidogyne species are polyphagous, which makes their management difficult because they can remain in other plants in the absence of the main host; however, in the case of M. paranaensis, knowledge about the host range is still limited.
Meloidogyne paranaensis was able to reproduce in the two evaluated citrus species. Another species, such as Meloidogyne indica, causes significant damage to citrus in India, causing the dieback of the plants in one year (Kumar and Arthurs 2021). Likewise, Meloidogyne javanica, Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne arenaria affect citrus species in Asian and African countries (Bakr et al. 2011; Onkendi et al. 2014). In this work, despite the high reproduction rate in Citrus spp., no major damage to the roots or aerial symptoms were observed; however, we do not recommend the use of this plants in M. paranaensis infested fields since they allow reproduction even more than the main host.
Our results indicate that M. paranaensis was able to reproduce in E. cyclocarpon. This plant is very common in coffee plantations due to its wide crown, which leaves extensive shaded areas. Although other species of this genus are highly susceptible to Meloidogyne spp., E. cyclocarpon has no recorded significant problems with nematodes (Falkowski et al. 2019).
Erythrobotria japonica limited the reproduction of M. paranaensis, according to our bibliographical review, there are no records of significant affectations by Meloidogyne or other nematode genera on this plant. In contrast, whole plant ethanolic extracts have been reported to cause Meloidogyne J2 mortality in vitro (Sultana et al. 2014). It is possible that the plant has defense mechanisms against nematodes, so it is necessary to investigate its possible nematicidal effect in the field.
Inga species are the shade trees most used by coffee growers in Veracruz, due to their rapid growth, shade level, and nitrogen fixation in the soil (Ávila-Bello et al. 2023). According to our bibliographic review, there are no records of nematodes associated with Inga species; however, our results indicate that the two species evaluated are very susceptible to M. paranaensis, so we do not recommend their use in infested sites.
Macadamia integrifolia limited the reproduction of M. paranaensis compared to the main hosts, however, some root areas development galling and initial symptoms similar to those of corky-root disease. In another study, seven macadamia varieties were evaluated against M. paranaensis and none of them reproduced adequately or developed galls (Costa et al. 2020). However, these authors used a lower population density and shorter interaction period (120 days) than in this work. It is possible that the nematode requires more time for the development of galling symptoms as occurs in common C. canephora (Sera et al. 2006), but it can cause damage to macadamia plants in the medium or long term. Pathogenicity studies should be carried out with different infestation levels and interaction periods to determine the macadamia susceptibility, since this is one of the most widespread crops associated with coffee plantations and could be at risk from this nematode.
The susceptibility of banana plants was confirmed. This crop was highly susceptible due to its non-woody root and rapid development. It is known that M. paranaensis affects banana plants in coffee plantations (Villain et al. 2013; Lopez-Lima et al. 2015). Musa spp. are very susceptible to nematodes, mainly of the genera Radopholus, Pratylenchus and Meloidogyne (Seenivasan and Senthilnathan 2018; Peraza-Padilla et al. 2020). However, it is necessary to carry out pathogenicity tests with M. paranaensis to know if it can represent a risk for banana plantations.
The Persea spp. plants did not show damage symptoms, although P. americana allowed reproduction at low levels. Low populations of Meloidogyne hapla and Meloidogyne trifoliophila are known to be associated with Persea sp. in New Zealand orchards, but no major damage reported (Knight 2001). Likewise, another study indicates that Meloidogyne incognita race 2 cannot reproduce or cause galling in potted avocado seedlings. Persea spp. seems to be more susceptible to genera such as Pratylenchus, Radopholus and Helicotylenchus (El-Borai and Duncan 2005). According to these results, we think that P. ameriacana and P. schiedeana are an option for planting in M. paranaensis infested sites.
Psidium guajaba, is severely affected by M. enterolobii, which together with Fusarium spp. cause the guava decline and similar symptoms to those of coffee corky-root disease (Khan et al. 2022). However, our results indicate that it is not susceptible to M. paranaensis. This plant is commonly associated with coffee plantations in Mexico, as part of the shade vegetation. This work indicates that its use is viable in infested coffee plantations.
There are records of Meloidogyne species parasitizing Quercus spp. (Brito et al. 2015; Sohrabi et al. 2015; Brito et al. 2016). However, under the conditions of this work it seems that Q. xalapensis is not very susceptible to M. paranaensis. As a native species, its maintenance in coffee agroecosystems is environmentally important.
Syzygium jambos is suitable for use in infested coffee plantations since not allow the reproduction of M. paranaensis, also there are no records of nematode involvement in this plant. In addition, the S. jambos extracts of leaves and bark have antimicrobial activity, however it is necessary to investigate its nematicidal activity (Djipa et al. 2000; Mohanty and Cock 2010).
Knowing the M. paranaensis hosts within the plants present in the shade-grown coffee agroecosystems is important since it influences the permanence and increase of nematode populations. Management strategies should consider possible alternative hosts for M. paranaensis, even when using tolerant rootstocks, since avoiding exposure to high population densities is crucial to maintaining the productivity and longevity of new plantings. The results of this study provide important information for the management of M. paranesnsis in infested shade-grown coffee plantations. It is necessary to evaluate the pathogenicity of M. paranaensis in plants that were susceptible, as well as in other woody and herbaceous plant species present in coffee agroecosystems.