Nematode Damage to Plantain (Musa spp. AAB-Group) at Flowering as Affected by Paring and Organic Mulch in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

The experiment investigated the effects of paring, oil palm bunch refuse and sawdust mulches on the flowering of mother plant, development of suckers, and the establishment, population and damage dynamics of plant parasitic nematodes on plantain cultivar Agbagba in Southwestern Nigeria. A multifactorial experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design. Above-ground plant growth parameters were measured at flowering of mother plants. Twenty-two months after planting (MAP), mats were sampled to assess nematode population densities, root and rhizome damages. Results of this study showed that paring and mulching gave complementarily effect on early flowering of plants, improved root production and the extent of benefit was dependent on the type of mulch material used. Pared plants produced fewer suckers at flowering than the non- pared plants, had healthier roots and lower root infections associated with plant parasitic nematode damage. Oil palm bunch refuse was superior to the sawdust mulch in enhancing plant growth, root health and suppressing nematode population densities. In an integrated pest management context therefore, paring coupled with mulching is recommended to boost plantain production.