PREVALENCE OF ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE (Meloidogynesp) IN LAPAI, LAPAI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Meloidogyne species is a root knot plant parasitic nematode found in the soil when tomato, okro potato and other crops are cultivated and has a great impact on its productivity. This study was conducted to assess the distribution of root knot nematodein three selected farms (Ibrahim BadamasiBabangida University, Kure and Magaji farms) in Lapai, Niger state, Nigeria. Ten samples of tomato plant root bunches with galls were randomly uprooted in each of the farm site. In addition, twenty-five grams soil samples were taken using auger at 10cm to 20cm from the rhizosphere. The isolation of the nematodes present was done using Cobbs sieving and decanting techniques. Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogynejavanica were isolated and identified from tomato root and soil in the farms surveyed. Out of the two, M. javanicawas more frequently isolated while M. incognita was not isolated from Ibrahim BadamasiBabangida University, Niger State Nigeria farm. Nematode population was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in Kure farm (10.77±1.38) than IBBU farm (4.2±1.65) and Magaji farm (8.44±2.51). The gall index ranged from 3.55+2.51to 4.77+0.94while the egg mass index ranged from 2.95+0.31to 3.94+0.21 bothwere found to be highest in Kure farm. The absolute density ranged from 16.8 to 33.75, relative density ranged from 17.94-46.00while prominence value ranges from 1.68-3.38. For root sample the absolute density ranges from 14.20-19.08, relative density ranged from 41.92-56.33 while prominence value ranged from 1.42-1.91. Absolute frequency and relative frequency of both root and soil sample for all the 3 farms had the same value of 100% and 33.33% respectively. From this study the results showed that occurrence of root knot nematode in tomato farms in Lapai, Lapai LGA, Niger State Nigeria was high and varies with farm. Therefore, cultivation of nematode-resistant cultivars and adequate management is suggested to reduce crop damage, reduce nematode population and increase yield.