Identificación de fitonematodos en sistemas de producción de uchuva (Physalis peruviana L.) en el Municipio de Arcabuco-Boyacá (Co)

The uchuva (Physalis peruviana L., called ground cherry or Cape gooseberry in English) cropped in cool areas from Colombia have increased its popularity and acreage, and it is now third only to in importance as a fresh fruit for export due to their high demand in the international markets. However, the diseases are a limiting factor for expanding uchuva production in the country. Previous studies have identified some of the pathogens and parasites that limit yields in the departments with greater production. Although different plant-parasitic nematodes genera have been registered in uchuva crops from Colom-bia, it is necessary to corroborate its presence in the areas of Boyacá where production is increasing, as well as describe population parame-ters, plant symptoms and its relationship with soil pathogens. There-fore, at 2014 uchuva plantations were selected in Arcabuco, Boyacá and soil and root compound samples were collected. In laboratory, plant-parasitic nematodes were extracted, identified and quantified. Meloidogyne, Pratylenchus, Helicotylenchus and Paratylenchus were found; the latter is a new report for uchuva in Colombia. Meloidogyne was the most important in population and impact on plant health. Also, Meloidogyne was associated with the fungal pathogen Fusarium verti-cillioides, causal agent of vascular wilts. Fusarium was isolated from 100% of samples inoculated in potato dextrose agar. This study pro-vides new perspectives on disease problems in uchuva cultivation in Boyacá, both for nematodes and for interactions between nematodes and soilborne plant pathogens.