Articles
ALTERNATIVES TO METHYL BROMIDE IN SUPPRESSION OF ROOT-KNOT NEMATODES IN WATERMELON (CITRULLUS LANATUS) PRODUCTION
Article number
917_29
Pages
227 – 230
Language
English
Abstract
Worldwide, technologies are being developed to reduce reliance on synthetic nematicides that have been associated with environment-unfriendliness and assault on non-target organisms.
Development and use of nematode-resistant seedling rootstocks for watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) production is one such promising technology in the management of the southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita). Preliminary trials suggested that watermelon cultivars were compatible with seedling rootstocks of wild watermelon (Cucumis africanus) and wild cucumber (Cucumis myriocarpus). The objective of this study was to determine the host-status and host-sensitivity of C. africanus and C. myriocarpus under greenhouse conditions.
A series of initial population nematode density (Pi) was arranged in a randomised complete block design, with 10 replicates.
At harvest, 56 days after inoculation, final population nematode density (Pf) per plant and crop yield components were measured.
At harvest, 56 days after inoculation, the reproductive factor (RF=Pf/Pi) of M. incognita was less than one.
The maximum multiplication rates were 0.23 and 0.52 on C. africanus and C. myriocarpus, respectively, suggesting that resistance in C. africanus was much stronger than in C. myriocarpus. Also, nematode infection had no effect on yield components.
Thus, results of this study suggested that both C. africanus and C. myriocarpus were resistant to M. incognita race 2.
Development and use of nematode-resistant seedling rootstocks for watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) production is one such promising technology in the management of the southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita). Preliminary trials suggested that watermelon cultivars were compatible with seedling rootstocks of wild watermelon (Cucumis africanus) and wild cucumber (Cucumis myriocarpus). The objective of this study was to determine the host-status and host-sensitivity of C. africanus and C. myriocarpus under greenhouse conditions.
A series of initial population nematode density (Pi) was arranged in a randomised complete block design, with 10 replicates.
At harvest, 56 days after inoculation, final population nematode density (Pf) per plant and crop yield components were measured.
At harvest, 56 days after inoculation, the reproductive factor (RF=Pf/Pi) of M. incognita was less than one.
The maximum multiplication rates were 0.23 and 0.52 on C. africanus and C. myriocarpus, respectively, suggesting that resistance in C. africanus was much stronger than in C. myriocarpus. Also, nematode infection had no effect on yield components.
Thus, results of this study suggested that both C. africanus and C. myriocarpus were resistant to M. incognita race 2.
Authors
K.M. Pofu, P.W. Mashela, N.M. Mokgalong , M.S. Mphosi
Keywords
bio-nematicide, host-status, host-sensitivity, nematode, reproductive factor
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