Importance of Agricultural Nematology outreach

Abstract

The surface of continental Argentina is 2,791,810 square kilometers, with phytogeographic regions characterized by soils, climates and different vegetation cover. Of that area, 34 million hectares are used for agriculture. In this context, soil nematodes that cause damage to crops can find many suitable places to colonize and multiply. So far, the true importance of these organisms is not taken into account. We believe that this situation is due to the limited information held by producers and technicians who advise, regarding soil nematodes in general and phyto-parasites in particular. Because of this, the task of extension is very limited and does not contribute to raise awareness of the serious damage that some species cause to agriculture. Therefore, some people who work mainly in basic research, we decided to engage with agronomists, producers and members of ministries of agriculture, to convey results of our daily work. As a result, research projects on nematodes that affect the cultivation of pepper for paprika began. Positive results that open good prospects for managing the populations of these organisms pest in the country were obtained.