Abstract
An investigation to evaluate the effect of Oil Palm Bunch Ash on Meloidogyne incognita infections on soybean (Glycine max) was carried out at the Research and Teaching Farm of the Federal College of Agriculture Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, in 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons. The treatment was Oil Palm Bunch Ash at different levels, (control, 5tons/ha, 8tons/ha and 11tons/ha) and was fitted into a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data collected were averaged on plant height (cm), number of leaves, number of galled roots, and number of galls per root (gall index) and initial nematode population and final nematode population at harvest. The data were subjected to statistical analysis of variance. Results showed that Oil Palm Bunch as at 11tons/ha produced the greatest control for root-knot nematode by significantly (P0.05) reducing the number of galled root and galls per root at harvest (gall index). Results also revealed that nematode population was high in the control plots. The growth and yield parameters were significantly (P0.05) higher in the plots treated with 8tons/ha and 11tons/ha of Oil Palm Bunch Ash. It is therefore, recommended that oil palm bunch ash from 11tons/ha could be employed by farmers to suppress root-knot nematode in soybean field and increase soybean yield.
Highlights
The results obtained showed that the application of the oil palm bunch ash to the soil significantly (P
The number of galled roots produced by the plant at the control plots was significantly (P
The nematode population produced by the soil at control plots was significantly (P
Summary
Glycine max is a species of legume native to East Asia, widely grown for its edible bean which has numerous uses. The plant is classified as an oilseed rather than a pulse (FAO,2009). Soybean grown for seed production is annual, leguminous, warm temperature, short day plant, normally bushy and erect. Plant height varies from 40 to 100cm, plants are much branched with welldeveloped root and each plant produces a number of small pods containing one to four rounds usually yellow in colour according to the cultivar. The plants are categorized into determinate and in determinate types. The determinate types are short and terminate growth with the onset of flowering and growth tips and in a pod bearing raceme.
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