Evaluation of legume intercrops on the population dynamics and damage level of burrowing nematode (Radopholus similis) in banana (Musaspp.)

Abstract

Radopholus similis is the most destructive plant parasitic nematode in banana production systems. A glasshouse experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of legume intercrops on R. similis population and damage level in banana. A trial was laid out in a randomised complete block design with five treatments and five replications. The treatments were banana/cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) intercrop, banana/sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) intercrop, sole banana, sole banana with nematicide (Fenamiphos) and sole cowpea. Sunn hemp intercrop was suppressing R. similis population densities and reduced banana root damage the most compared to tested treatments. The legume intercropped banana plants had a significantly higher fresh root mass as the sole-cropped banana with nematicide while the solecropped banana without nematicide had significantly lowest fresh root mass. Sunn hemp and cowpea legumes are recommended for adoption by smallholder banana farmers as alternatives to nematicide use.

Current banana smallholder farmers farming practices and knowledge on plant-parasitic nematodes associated with banana (Musa spp.) in Rusitu Valley, Zimbabwe

“…Author(s) agree that this article remain permanently open access under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 International License income to this banana-dependent community (Chitamba et al, 2013;Chitamba et al, 2014). Banana production has been declining over the years, and this has been attributed to poor agronomic practices, poor soil fertility and inadequate pest control.…”

Efecto de bioformulados bacterianos como controladores de Radopholus similis y potenciadores del desarrollo de plántulas de banano (Musa acuminata) cultivar Williams

“…La alta incidencia de daños provocados por R. similis reduce el funcionamiento de las raíces provocado por su estilete que ingresa a nuevas células corticales para destruir la pared celular del huésped y migrar a nuevos sitios ricos en azúcares lo que provoca el volcamiento de la planta (Chitamba et al, 2014;Singh et al, 2015), Su reproducción anfimixis en el interior de la raíz permite la oviposición aproximadamente de 8000 huevecillos en un periodo de desarrollo de 20 a 25 días (Kosma et al, 2011). El control de R. similis en grandes plantaciones de banano se realiza con nematicidas sintéticos con dos a cuatro aplicaciones al año (Chabrier y Queneherve, 2003).…”

Assessment of Insecticidal Properties of Products From Seeds of Carica papaya Against Callosobruchus Maculatus (Fabricius)

“…For these reasons, alternative chemicals for pest control are being sourced from plants (Berger, 1994). This is exacerbated by the fact that the pesticides toxicity also has adverse effects on non-target organisms (Chitamba et al, 2013) as well as the environment that leads to acute or chronic poisoning.…”