Abstract

Three cultivars of Telfairia occidentalis were assessed for their resistance or otherwise to root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) infection on the field. Seeds were extracted from the pods of the selected cultivars and planted on moist sawdust in nursery trays to raise seedlings for transplanting. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design and replicated thrice. Pre-plant soil samples were taken to estimate initial nematode populations. At seven days after transplanting, eggs of Meloidogyne incognita (Mi) were extracted from 60 day-old Celosia argentea and used for inoculation of the three cultivars of T. occidentalis at approximately 5000 eggs/stand. Plants were, thereafter, observed for vine length, vine girth and number of leaves from two weeks till 8 weeks after transplanting. Final soil nematode population and root gall indices were determined at 60-66 days after inoculation. Reproduction factor was determined and used along with the gall indices to rate the cultivars for resistance or susceptibility to Mi. Results showed that cultivars NHTo-020 and NHTo-030 were susceptible to root-knot nematode which implied that plants allowed nematode reproduction and also suffered yield loss while cultivar NHTo-010 was tolerant to nematode infestation meaning that nematode reproduction took place but the plant does not suffer yield loss. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in the mean vine length and number of leaf irrespective of the inoculum while effect on the vine girth was significantly variable. The inoculated plants gave significantly better vegetative growth than the naturally infested plants which indicated genetic variability in the cultivars.

Highlights

  • Organic agricultural production system is fast growing in Africa.al., 2002)

  • Plant-parasitic nematodes are among the major constraints in crop production system globally, includingThe fresh leaf extract serves as high value, cheap and fast remedy vegetables

  • Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. f.) is a tropical vineHarvested pumpkin can be eaten raw or processed by different crop grown in West African countries for its leaves and seeds.methods and use in diverse ways depending on individual’s culture

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Summary

Introduction

Organic agricultural production system is fast growing in Africa.al., 2002). Its inherent antioxidants help in reducing the free radicalsthere are concerns for pests and disease constraints ingenerated from the oxidation processes that generate energy for the newly established organic farms due to restrictions from syntheticbiological processes.chemical applications. The crop is a delicacy and commonly consumed by all tribes and large populations ofIn addition, fluted pumpkin is one of the appreciable cash foreigners in the country because of its nutritional, medicinal,generating crops in many parts of Nigeria (Akoroda, 1990) as it is economical, industrial and dietary importance to human The leaves,considered as a pro-poor choice for money spinning since it can be tender vines and seeds of T. occidentalis are rich sources of protein,pruned bi-weekly for regular marketing all-year-round. It has been documented to have somewhich are usually very expensive during the commencement of the medicinal values (Kayode and Kayode, 2011) for humans Where residual soil moisture is been scientifically acknowledged that some phytochemicals in T.sufficient, fluted pumpkin can grow for 2-3 years or more with occidentalis can prevent or reduce oxidative damage of human bodyadequate soil fertility maintenance

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