Abstract
The development of new biofortified cassava cultivars, with higher micronutrient contents, offers great potential to enhance food and nutrition security prospects. Among the various constraints affecting cassava production are plant parasitic nematodes (PPN), especially root-knot nematodes. In this study, six popular biofortified cultivars were field-evaluated for their response to PPN in Nigeria. A field naturally infested with a diversity of PPN but dominated by root-knot nematodes was used. Application of the nematicide carbofuran significantly reduced PPN densities, and at harvest, no root galling damage was observed, compared with untreated plots, which had heavy galling damage. Plant height, stem girth, plant weight, marketable storage root number and weight were significantly lower for most cultivars in untreated plots. Percentage yield losses in the range of 21.3–63.7% were recorded from two separate trials conducted for 12 months each. Lower total carotenoid and dry matter contents were associated with higher PPN densities in some biofortified cultivars, resulting in a loss of as much as 63% of total carotenoid and 52% of dry matter contents. The number and weight of rotted storage roots were significantly greater in untreated plots across cultivars, reducing in-field and post-harvest storability. This study demonstrates that natural field populations of PPN can substantially affect yield, quality and nutritional value of released biofortified cassava cultivars.
Highlights
Cassava is a major staple food crop in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where approximately 500 million people depend on it as a major carbohydrate source [1]
The focus of the current study centered on Meloidogyne spp., it is understood that Pratylenchus, Helicotylenchus and Scutellonema spp. could have had some influence on cassava growth, which can become important when they are present in large densities [23]
The current study showed that high plant parasitic nematodes (PPN) densities were associated with reduced crop performance following treatment with carbofuran, resulting in significant (p ≤ 0.001) yield loss of biofortified cassava
Summary
Cassava is a major staple food crop in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where approximately 500 million people depend on it as a major carbohydrate (energy) source [1]. It is an important crop for food security in these regions, partly because it yields more energy per hectare than many other major crop. To meet rising demands for cassava and to improve its nutritional value as a food, there has been considerable investment to breed improved cultivars, including for higher mineral and vitamin contents, a process referred to as biofortification [3]. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have supported a global effort to develop cassava germplasm enriched with bioavailable nutrients since 2005
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