First report of Seville root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne hispanica) infecting tobacco in the Brazil

Tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum L.) is one of the major nonfood crops in the Southern of Brazil. During 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 crop seasons, Root Knot Nematodes obtained from tobacco with conspicuous roots galls showed uncommon Esterase (Est Hi3) phenotypes. Morphological and biochemical assays performed a posteriori confirmed the etiologic agent of the disease is Meloidogyne hispanica with reproduction factor of 1302 ± 663,62. To our best knowledge, this is the first report of M. hispanica parasitizing tobacco in Brazil. Possible impacts in tobacco yield as well as for another plant species used in intercropping schedules must be studied in the future. Further research can be carried out to search for efficient management measures and resistant genotypes.