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Root-knot nematodes
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A. M. Varela, icipe
Is this a Minor Pest?
Yes
Minor Pest Title
Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.)
Minor Pest Description
Eggplant is highly susceptible to root-knot nematodes, especially on sandy soils. Symptoms of infestation by root-knot nematodes are similar in all crops: wilting of plants and if infested plants are pulled from the soil the roots can be seen to be distorted, swollen and bearing knots. The infested roots eventually rot and affected plants die.
Minor Pest What to do.
- Use resistant varieties, if available.
- Practise crop rotation.
- Practise mixed cropping. Mixed cropping with African marigold (Tagetes spp.) minimises root-knot nematode damage. Intercrop with different mustards (e.g. Brassica juncea var. integrifolia or Brassica juncea var. juncea) on infested fields. As soon as mustards are flowering they are mulched and incorporated into the soil. While incorporated plant parts are decomposing in a moist soil, nematicidal compounds of this decomposing process do kill nematodes. Two weeks after incorporating plant material into the soil a new crop can be planted or sown (phytotoxic effects are usual if the crop is planted before two weeks).
- Use bioproducts (e.g. neem extracts). For more information on Neem click here.
- Use biofumigation where possible.
- Maintain high levels of organic matter in the soil (manure or compost).
Minor Pest Position
12
Minor Pest Firstcontent
116
Pest Type
nematodes (Pests)
Other Crops
Dolichos
Host Plants
Eggplant (Revised)
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