Abstract
Root-knot nematodes (RKN) (Meloidogyne spp) are a serious pest causing heavy economic losses in a wide range of agricultural crops. A trial was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of various eco-friendly nematicides in the management of RKN affecting French bean. The field trial was carried out in two seasons with the following treatments; Rigel-G (salicylic acid), Phyto Protect (Sesame oil extract), Mytech (Paecilomyces lilacinus), Neemraj 0.3% (Azadirachtin), Vydate® (Oxamyl) as a positive control and an untreated control. Various rates; Rigel –G (2.5 ml/l), Phyto Protect (10 l/ha), Mytech (125 g/ha) Neemraj 0.3% (3L/ha) and Vydate® (6 l/ha) of treatments were administered and damage on plants was assessed based on galling indices, crop biomass and yield whereas nematode reproductive potential was assessed based on the J2 counts. There was no significant difference (P ≥ 0.05) in the nematode population densities and galling indices observed among the eco-friendly nematicides and the conventional nematicide (Vydate®). Eco-friendly nematicides had a significant (P ≤ 0.05) reduction of RKN J2 population densities compared to the negative control. The negative control had the highest mean of root-knot nematode densities (240 RKN/200 cc soil) and a galling index of 3.77 while Vydate and Neemraj had the lowest mean density (40 RKN/200 cc soil) in the first season. Similar results were observed in the second season with control having the highest RKN J2 population densities (285 RKN/200 cc soil) and a galling index of 3.89 and Vydate had the lowest (23 RKN/200 cc soil). The results of this study clearly indicate that eco-friendly nematicides can be fully adopted to suppress RKN in French beans as alternatives to conventional nematicides.
Highlights
Horticulture is a very important in Kenya with French beans being one of the key crops cultivated for export
169.43 a 165.88 a 185.29 a 176.60 a 231.93 a 162.30 a Results Effect of Eco-Friendly Nematicides and Bio-Control Agents in Suppressing Root-Knot Nematodes (Rkn) In both the first and the second season, eco-friendly nematicides had a significant (P ≤ 0.05) reduction of Root-knot nematodes (RKN) J2 population densities compared to the untreated control (Table 1)
All eco-friendly nematicides tested in this study reduced the second stage juveniles of RKN
Summary
Horticulture is a very important in Kenya with French beans being one of the key crops cultivated for export. French bean production is labor intensive and it employs millions of people who obtain their livelihood from the crop.[20] Of the biotic challenges facing French bean production in Kenya, root knot nematode is a serious problem due to the hidden nature of the problem and significant yield losses are experienced.[14,20] The root- knot nematode species, Meloidogyne incognita, is the most widespread and the most serious plant-parasitic nematode affecting wide range of legume plants including French beans in the tropics and subtropical regions.[19] French beans plants become stunted wilt and eventually die. Bean yield can be reduced by 26 to 63% depending on the bean cultivar grown. This fungi has been used successfully against M. incognita on tobacco and tomato.[2]
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