Host‐range of the lesion nematode,Pratylenchus goodeyicommonly found in highland bananas of East Africa

Abstract

Abstract Two tests (1 and 2) were established at ARI Maruku, Tanzania, to investigate the host‐range of the lesion nematode Pratylenchus goodeyi. Seventy‐six plant species commonly found in banana fields were planted in a P. goodeyi‐infested field (1) and around infested banana plants (2). Nematodes were extracted from the roots of each plant species at 4‐month intervals using the maceration‐sieving technique. P. goodeyi was extracted from only five plant species, Commelina benghalensis, Hyperrhenia rufa, Musa sp. cv. Nyoya, Plectranthus barbatus and Tripsacum laxam. This indicates that the nematode has a narrow host‐range.