Abstract The citrus root lesion nematode ( Pratylenchus jaehni ) is widespread in Brazilian citrus orchards and causes high damage. It can be efficiently controlled by non-host rootstocks, but the Rangpur lime ( Citrus limonia ) is a widely used rootstock in Brazil which is a suitable host for P . jaehni . For citrus grafted onto Rangpur lime in fields infested by P . jaehni , the only control method available is the use of synthetic nematicides. An untested approach to sustainable citrus production is the use of non-host species of cover crops for citrus pre- or post-planting. However, information on the host status of cover crops to P . jaehni is almost absent. Therefore, the host status of five cover crops was evaluated in two greenhouse trials. None of them proved to be non-hosts of the nematode. However, pigeon pea and gray velvet bean were rated as poor hosts, and should be considered for P . jaehni management. Conversely, hyacinth bean and jack bean were rated as good hosts and must be avoided in citrus orchards infested with P . jaehni . Sunn hemp was rated as a moderate host.
Lucas et al. (Tue,) studied this question.