Pathogenicity of Meliodogyne javanica on growth of tomato (<i>Lycopersicon esculentum</i>) cv. Derica: Effect on fruit yield

Abstract

Effect of Meloidogyne javanica on tomato cultivar (cv) Derica at different inoculum levels; 0.500, 1,000, 1,500 or 2,000 eggs/ juveniles was carried out. Zero inoculum served as control. Treatments were laid out in randomized complete block design with (5) five replicates for each inoculum level. Plants were grown in steam sterilized soil mixture of loam and sand in the ratio of 1:1 in 1,000 cl, polyethene bags and left for six months. Nematode reproduction was monitored at 30, 60, and 90 days after inoculation (DAI). The result of the study showed significant difference (p<0.5) in nematode population increase 30, 60, and 90 DAI in all inoculum levels. Nematode increased more at the 1,000 inoculum level (2,559 nematode recovered) per 50 g/soil root and at the 1,500 noculum level (1986) 90 DAI. The study revealed increased root proliferation at the various inoculum level. The inoculum levels had significant influence on the height and stem size (p<0.5) and non on the shoot weight (p>0.5) of the cultivars at 90 DAI. Fruit production was inhibited while apical growth stimulated at all inoculum levels.

Keywords: nematode disintegration, root proliferation, top growth.

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 29 (2) 2008: pp. 121-124