Control Strategies of Plant Parasitic Nematodes in Black Pepper Plantation

Abstract

Plant parasitic nematode is one of important pests causing big loss in crop production. Currently, black pepper is considered as one of major agricultural products in Indonesia, hence its cultivation including plant protection is important in black pepper development. Important parasitic nematodes such as Radopholus similis and Meloidogyne spp., have been known as causal agents of yellow disease in black pepper plantation. These parasitic nematodes could be controlled integrally through several approaches such as using biological control agents, botanical pesticide, and enhancing cultural practice strategies. Biological control using nematode-parasitic bacteria has been proven able to suppress the development of the parasitic nematode in the soil. The use of synthetic pesticide was usually applied as the last effort because of their serious implications for human health not only for the farmers, but also for the consumers and the environment. Therefore, recently, people begin to fascinate the use botanical pesticides known as pesticide of plant origin. Clove, tobacco, and betel vine extract have been proven effectively reduced the penetration rate of the nematode, and suppressed the nematode population development in roots and the percentage of rhizome-knot symptom. These organic materials may be developed for the active ingredient of botanical nematicide. Cultural practices such as amendment of organic materials as mulch becomes important strategy to reduce percentage of total nematode population and its reproduction rates, while at the same time it improves soil quality hence the plant grows well.