Survey and effects of plant parasitic root nematodes of cashew ( Anacardium occidentale) in South-Eastern - Nigeria

Abstract

Plant parasitic root nematodes of cashew were surveyed in Southeastern Nigeria. Five thousand, one hundred and twenty cashew trees were sampled and nematodes in their rhizospheres extracted by modified Cobb's decanting and sieving technique. Pure cultures of the nematodes were further inoculated on 30 days old cashew seedlings. This was for pathogenicity test and effect on cashew growth. Five genera and eleven species of plant parasitic root nematodes showed association with cashew trees in Southeastern Nigeria. Based on degree of virulence, frequency of occurrence and population density; the genera Xiphinema spp, Scutellonema spp and Criconemella spp were most important. Triphorus spp and Rotylenchulus spp caused no appreciable damage.

International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (4) 2006: pp. 392-395