Detection of Pratylenchus zeae and P. brachyurus parasitizing plants from the caatinga biome, Ceará, Brazil

Roots of plants characteristic of the Brazilian caatinga showing necrosis symptoms were observed in Iguatu, CE, Brazil. To identify the species, morphological characterization was performed, through the morphometry of females, and molecular analysis of the ITS and 28S rDNA regions. The nematodes Pratylenchus zeae and P. brachyurus were identified as causal agents, confirming pathogenicity by Koch postulates. This is the first report of P. zeae and P. brachyurus in caaatinga plants in the state of Ceará, Brazil.