Reaction of six Musa genotypes to root-parasitic nematodes

Abstract

The reaction of six Musa genotypes to root-parasitic nematodes was evaluated under field conditions, together with the horizontal, and vertical distributions of the neomatodes within the soil profile. The numbers of Radopholus similis, Helicotylenchus spp., Meloidogyne spp. and of all nematodes in the excavated soil quadrant varied with Musa genotype. All genotypes were very susceptible to at least one nematode. Yangambi km5, Pisang Jari Buaya and FHIA-23 supported the lowest number of R. similis and Pisang Jari Buaya, the lowest number of Helicotylenchus spp. These three cultivars supported high numbers of Meloidogyne spp. Furthermore, FHIA-23 supported high numbers of Helicotylenchus spp. The horizontal and vertical distributions of R. similis in the root system of Valery, Gros Michel and FHIA-18 were very similar. By constrast, the distributions of Helicotylenchus spp., Meloidogyne spp. and the number of all nematodes varied slightly among the genotypes. Because Musa genotypes susceptible to a particular nematode showed a similar horizontal and vertical nematode distribution with populations concentrated in the vicinity of the plant base (0–30 cm horizontal distance and 30 cm depth), sampling at this site would be sufficient for the identification of the Musa plant reaction.