Nematóides associados a culturas de mentas no Estado do Paraná

Mints (Mentha spp.) are aromatic species with large application in industry, especially due the presence of menthol in the essential oil. In Parana State, mints represent an agricultural option for small farms. With the aim of identifying the plant-parasitic nematodes associated with M. arvensis and M. x piperita species, soil and root samples were collected in two producer regions (Capitao Leonidas Marques - M. arvensis and Prudentopolis - M.x piperita). Extraction was performed according to Jenkins (1964) and Coolen & D ' Herde (1972) for soil and roots, respectively. Three genus associated with species of mint were detected: Helicotylenchus, Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus. The occurrence of the species Pratylenchus brachyurus was registered for the first time as associated with mint in Brazil. This species was more frequent and abundant, being found on M. arvensis and M x piperita. Meloidogyne hapla was detected only on M. arvensis, while Meloidogyne javanica and Meloidogyne incognita was associated with M. x piperita in mixed population.