Plant Parasitic Nematodes Associated with Okra in the Forest Savanna Transition and Semi-Deciduous Forest Agro-Ecologies of Ghana

Abstract

Okra is an important vegetable crop in Ghana. Plant-parasitic nematodes infect okra, reducing the quality and quantity of fresh immature and dry fruits. This study was carried out to determine diversity, density and distribution of plant parasitic nematodes attacking okra in the Forest savanna transition and Semi-deciduous forest agro-ecologies of Ghana. In each agro-ecology, soils from okra rhizosphere were sampled from 15 farms for plant-parasitic nematodes assessment. Nematodes were extracted using the modified Baermann nematodes extraction method. Six nematode genera were identified; Meloidogyne, Pratylenchus, Xiphinema, Helicotylenchus, Rotylenchulus and Scutellonema. Meloidogyne occurred with 64.9% relative abundance and 100% frequency. Rotylenchulus, Pratylenchus, and Helicotylencus nematodes also occurred with 100% frequency. Xiphinema were the least abundant (0.05%) and the least frequent (15%). The findings have shown that a large number of nematodes exist on okra plants and therefore there is the need for educational campaigns to be stepped up by Agricultural Extension Services of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture on plant parasitic nematode infections in okra production.