Uso de óleo essencial de citros para controle de fitonematoide

Abstract

Phytonematodes represent one of the major phytosanitary challenges in agriculture, causing significant losses in economically important crops, including citrus production. Conventional control of these pests is typically based on chemical nematicides, which present limitations such as environmental impact, high toxicity, and the risk of selecting resistant populations. In this context, interest in sustainable alternatives has increased, particularly the use of essential oils. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the in vitro nematicidal potential of essential oils extracted from Pêra sweet orange (Citrus × sinensis) and Late IAC 585 mandarin (Citrus × deliciosa) in the control of nematodes collected from agricultural soil. The experiment was conducted at the LANEM laboratory of the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Araras campus. Essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus, employing fruit peels as raw material. Bioassays were performed in ELISA plates at concentrations of 0, 100, 200, and 400 µL mL-1, evaluating nematode mobility at 0 and 24 hours. The results showed that both essential oils significantly reduced the number of mobile nematodes, indicating nematicidal activity. The highest concentration, 400 µL mL-1, produced the most expressive effect, reaching up to 91.48% efficacy for Pêra sweet orange oil. The Late IAC 585 mandarin oil also exhibited high effectiveness, reaching up to 78.82% efficacy at the 200 µL mL-1 dosage. The differences observed between the oils may be attributed to their distinct chemical compositions, including varying levels of limonene, γ-terpinene, and other bioactive terpenoids. It is concluded that the evaluated citrus essential oils show promising potential as natural agents for the management of plant-parasitic nematodes, representing a sustainable alternative to chemical nematicides.