Evaluation of the sensitivity of two plantain varieties essong and big ebanga to the nematode <i>Radopholus similis</i>

Abstract

Plantains are among the crops that enhance food security in Cameroon. However, plantain yields remain low because of several constraints of parasites such as Radopholus similis, a nematode that can cause losses up to 75% in fields when no protection measures are taken. In most cases, the sensitivity of local plantain varieties to R. similis is unknown; which generally results to low yields despite the control technique used. This limits their up scaling in the country. This work was undertaken to study the sensitivity of two varieties, Essong and Big Ebanga, to R. similis. To this effect, the parasitic activity of R. similis on the varieties Essong and Big Ebanga was assessed in vivo. The variety Grande naine known to be very sensitive to R. similis was used as the control. According to the results obtained, local varieties Essong and Big Ebanga were found to be sensitive to R. similis with the variety Essong being the most sensitive.

Key words: Musa spp., banana plantain, nematode, Radopholus similis, sensitivity.