Coffee lesion nematode

The coffee lesion nematode (Pratylenchus coffeae) belongs to the phylum Nematoda and the family Pratylenchidae. It is a migratory endoparasite that feeds and reproduces within the root cortex of its host plants. As a globally significant plant-parasitic nematode, it is particularly destructive in tropical and subtropical regions where it compromises the root health of diverse crops.

This parasite affects a wide array of commercially important crops, including coffee, banana, citrus, potato, yam, and ginger. The damage caused by the nematode leads to the formation of characteristic necrotic lesions on roots. These lesions result in severe root decay, which severely hinders the plant's ability to absorb water and nutrients, causing chlorosis, stunted growth, and heavy yield losses.

The biological cycle of Pratylenchus coffeae involves all developmental stages occurring within the root tissues or the rhizosphere. Females deposit eggs either in the roots or the soil. Both juveniles and adults actively move through the root tissue, causing mechanical damage to cells. As they migrate, they destroy cell contents, leaving behind tunnels that soon become necrotic and prone to secondary pathogenic invasion.

Development is most favorable in moist, well-aerated soils at temperatures between 25°C and 30°C. The spread of the nematode across agricultural landscapes is largely due to the movement of infested planting materials, such as cuttings, suckers, or tubers. In addition, movement of contaminated soil through farm machinery, irrigation water, and even human activity facilitates long-distance dissemination.

Effective management requires an integrated approach:

• Utilizing nematode-free nursery plants and certified planting material.
• Practicing crop rotation with non-host crops to starve the nematode population.
• Applying specific nematicides or biological control agents like beneficial fungi.
• Maintaining strict sanitation protocols for farm tools and machinery to prevent cross-contamination.