Comparative Effect of Rotylenchulus reniformis and Meloidogyne incognita on the Productivity of okra in Nigeria

Abstract

Okra has risen in importance from being the fifth popularly produced vegetable to the second in the last few years in Nigeria. This study therefore evaluated the impact of growing okra in soils infested with Rotylenchulus reniformis and Meloidogyne incognita. A pot experiment was conducted in the screenhouse with three popular okra cultivars (NH 47-4, LD66-1 and Clemson spineless) inoculated with either R. reniformis or M. incognita and compared to uninoculated plants. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with five replicates. The field trial was conducted using one cultivar, Clemson spineless and the same treatments as the pot trial laid out in a randomised complete block design with four replications. Data were collected on number of leaves, leaf area, plant height, number of fruits and fruit weight and submitted for analysis of variance. Significant reduction in number of leaves and plant height was observed in inoculated compared to uninoculated plants. Inoculated plant produced smaller and fewer fruits in comparison to the control. Yield reduction in pots was 31-72% in pot experiments with R. reniformis and 51-76% in pots with M. incognita. Yield of Clemson spineless in the field was reduced by 36% and 40% by M. incognita and R. reniformis respectively. The reniform nematode has gone beyond being a potential pest of vegetable crops such as okra in Nigeria to being an actual pest that requires serious management interventions.Citation: Claudius-Cole A.O. Comparative Effect of Rotylenchulus reniformis and Meloidogyne incognita on the Productivity of okra in Nigeria. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 12(9): 20-25.