Antioxidant enzyme activity associated to Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus infection in sugarcane

The plant-parasitic nematodes Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus are the main nematode pathogens reducing sugarcane yield worldwide. Despite, defense responses to overcome the pathogen stresses through neutralizing cytotoxicity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been reported for a range of important crops and pathogens, few studies have been developed for sugarcane under nematode stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate responses of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) at different density of Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus in a sugarcane replant field and in a ratoon crop. Evaluations based on nematode densities, plant growth parameters and SOD and APX activity at six (T6) and nine (T9) months after planting (Area 1) or cutting (Area 2 - ratoon crop). Pratylenchus abundance significantly decreased in Area 1, but not in Area 2. In contrast, Meloidogyne abundance increased through time in Area 1, but decreased in Area 2. In both areas, SOD activity decreased over time, but APX activity did not present significant fluctuation over time in Area 1, in contrast to the increase over time of APX activity in Area 2. Abundance of both nematodes correlated positively with number of tillers and negatively with height of stalks, besides the negative correlation between Pratylenchus and stalk diameter. This inverse correlation between the plant-parasitic nematode and stalk number was also demonstrated by the PCA. There was not significant correlation between the antioxidant enzymes and plant growth parameters or nematode abundance, except the positive correlation between SOD activity and number of tillers.