Nematodes Assessment in Cucumber and Melon farms in Rivers State, Nigeria
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Abstract
Plant parasitic nematodes are of agricultural importance, causing loss of crop fields, poor yield and the subsequent impact on livelihood of the farmers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the abundance of parasitic nematodes on selected crop fields in the study area. Soil samples were collected from cucumber, cassava, melon and maize farms, using a soil auger into a black cellophane bag and transported to the laboratory for parasitological analysis using Baermann’s method. Soil physico-chemical parameters were measured using standard methods. A total of 879 plant parasitic nematodes from 16 species were extracted from cucumber and melon farms during the study, out of which 442 (50.28) and 437(49.72%) were extracted from the cucumber and melon farms respectively. Of the 442 plant parasitic nematodes recovered from the cucumber farm, Meloidogyne spp., 66(14.93%) recorded the highest abundance followed by Paratylenchus spp., 56(12.67%), Rotylenchu spp., 51(11.54%) while Pratylencus spp., 17(3.85%) recorded the abundance. In the melon farm, 12 species of PPNs were extracted comprising of Tylenchus spp., 37(8.47), Meloidogyne spp., 60(13.73%), Pratylencus spp., 4(0.92%), Radophodus spp., 53(12.13%), Hemicyclophora spp., 26(5.95%), Paratylenchus spp., 65(14.87%), Mesocriconema xenoplex, 18(4.12), Heterodera spp., 51(11.67%), Rotylenchus spp., 26(5.95%), Tylenchorhynchus spp.,47(10.76), Hemicriconomoides spp., and 28(6.41%). Physico-chemical parameters recorded insignificant negative correlation with nematode abundance (p>0.05). Farms in the study area are infested with various plant parasitic nematodes. Farmers should be encouraged to carry crop rotation which helps in nematode control.
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