NEMATODE PROBLEMS OF LOCAL LEAF VEGETABLES IN SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

The root knot nematode, Meloidogyne spp is so far one of the most important pests of leaf vegetables in South-Western Nigeria.
Infection of these vegetables induce intense chlorosis, stunted growth and significant reductions in leaf size and total fresh leafy weight of Celosis argentea and Corchorus olitorius at harvest.
Most often such roots are predisposed to infection by rot organisms.
Substantial yield reductions have been observed due to the nematode.
Other nematodes associated with these vegetables include, Pratylanchus spp, Helicotylenchus spp Hemicriconemoides sp Scutellonema clathricaudatum and Hoplolaimus sp.
Field sanitation and other cultural control methods are preferred to chemical control in leafy vegetables because of the short life of the vegetables and the systemic nature of available chemicals.

VI African Symposium on Horticultural Crops

J.O. Babatola

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1983.123.22