Evaluation of Low-Input Management Methods for Plant Parasitic Nematodes in Plantain CV. Agbagba in Southwestern Nigeria

Field trial was conducted at the National Horticultural Research Institute’s experimental field between July 2003 and January 2005 to determine the effect of some cultural practices on the populations and control of plant parasitic nematodes infestation and their effect on some growth and yield attributes of plantain cv. Agbagba. The treatments included corm paring / hot water root dip, Tithonia diversifolia leaf mulch and combination of Tithonia leaf and hot water root dip. The untreated plantlets served as the control. Results showed that in all the assayed soil and root samples, the control plots recorded the highest populations of plant parasitic nematodes. They include Meloidogyne incognita, Helicotylenchus multicintus and Radopholus similis while the lowest populations occurred in plots with the treatment combination of hot water root dip and T. diversifolia mulch. Plant height, number of leaves and sucker production were significantly enhanced. in Tithonia mulch + hot water root dip- treated plantain followed by Tithonia mulch and hot water dip treatment respectively, Early flowering and fruiting as well as significant increase in bunch weight were observed in Tithonia mulch + hot water root dip - treated plantain. Similarly, the highest cumulative yield values occured in Tithonia mulch + hot water root dip - treated plantain. This practice is recommended for plantain producers in organic agriculture production system