Pratylenchus zeae in maize: Current advances, economic impacts, and challenges for sustainable management
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14295/bjs.v6i2.939Keywords:
Pratylenchus zeae, maize, root-lesion nematode, plant–nematode interaction, crop productivityAbstract
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important crops worldwide, playing a fundamental role in food security, animal nutrition, and industrial production. However, its productivity is frequently threatened by plant-parasitic nematodes, among which Pratylenchus zeae stands out as one of the most relevant species in tropical and subtropical production systems. This study aimed to conduct a narrative literature review on the impacts of P. zeae on maize, synthesizing scientific advances published between 2016 and 2025 and identifying current knowledge gaps related to its management. The review was based on a qualitative and descriptive approach, using scientific articles, theses, dissertations, technical documents, and review papers retrieved from SciELO, CAPES Periodicals Portal, Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (BDTD), Web of Science, and PubMed/MEDLINE databases. The available evidence indicates that P. zeae acts primarily within the root system, causing cortical lesions, impairing water and nutrient uptake, reducing plant vigor, and increasing susceptibility to abiotic and biotic stresses. The persistence and spread of the nematode are strongly influenced by continuous cultivation of susceptible hosts, inadequate crop rotation practices, weed reservoirs, and the use of highly susceptible genotypes. Current management strategies emphasize integrated approaches combining nematological diagnosis, population monitoring, crop rotation, cover crops, weed management, host resistance, biological control agents, and soil health improvement practices. Despite significant advances in understanding the biology and ecology of P. zeae, important gaps remain regarding economic damage thresholds, regionalized risk assessments, and the validation of management practices under commercial field conditions. Overall, sustainable management of Pratylenchus zeae requires an integrated systems-based approach supported by region-specific research capable of improving decision-making and reducing nematode-associated yield losses in maize production systems.
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Copyright (c) 2027 Izadora Marques Galvão, Welber Cabral Bueno, Fabiula Barbosa de Souza, Gabriel Henrique dos Santos Cardoso, Hiago Medeiros dos Santos, Juliana Araújo Rocha, Francisco Rafael Santos Conceição, Porshia Sharma, Janslei Andrade da Silva, Aurélio Ferreira Melo
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