Current Status of the Occurrence and Reaction Root-knot Nematodes in the Main Botanical Families of Medicinal Plants

Medicinal plants are described such as those produce substances capable of provoking reactions in the human body leading to the cure of diseases. Like as cultivated species, medicinal plants can be attacked by various pests and diseases, affecting the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of their curative properties, as well as productivity. Phytonematodes are one of the main factors limiting the productivity of cultivated plants. In medicinal species this pathogens group has caused damage in the sanity of the plants interfering in the quality of the compounds produced. Among them, due to the high parasitism degree, the species of the genus Meloidogyne, popularly known as root-knot nematodes. Among the management strategies of these phytopathogens, biological and cultural controls have low efficiency reports. Likewise, chemical control is not indicated due to its high cost, besides, its high toxicity and risk of environmental pollution. Therefore, the most effective control method is the use of resistant plant species or cultivars. Once these species are identified, they can be used as antagonists or incorporated into the soil, aiming to decrease the nematode population in infested areas. The use of resistant medicinal species allows little or no reproduction of Meloidogyne spp., providing effective control in the field. Other advantages are the reduction of production costs, and the protection of the environment against pollution caused by chemical waste.