Plant parasitic nematodes associated with oil palm trees in three regions of Ghana

Abstract

Field surveys were conducted in three oil palm producing regions of Ghana to determine the frequency, population density and geographical distribution of plant parasitic nematodes associated with oil palm. Palms ranging from 4 to 12 years were surveyed during the peak periods of two successive cropping seasons of 2019 and 2020. A total of 64 soil and root samples were collected and plant parasitic nematodes extracted and identified from them. 716 mixed populations of 11 economically important plant-parasitic nematode genera were recovered and identified from both roots and soils during the period. These were Aphelenchus, Criconemoides, Helicotylenchus, Hemicriconemoides, Meloidogyne, Pratylenchus, Radopholus, Rotylenchus, Tylenchorynchus, Tylenchus and Xiphinema. Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus were the most frequently isolated and widely distributed geographically. Meloidogyne recovered from both soil and roots were 220 whilst Pratylenchus recovered were 129. These nematodes are very important pests of several crops, therefore, if not managed properly, could pose a threat to oil palm production in Ghana.