Potency of Arati-Obd+ Organic Fertilizer on Plant-Parasitic and Free-Living Nematodes in Peppermint (Mentha Piperita L.) Field

Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) is one of the most economical aromatic and medicinal crops useful in pharmaceutical and agro-allied industries globally. It is among the neglected crops currently receiving attention by organic agriculture experts in Nigeria. In view of the potential threat Plant-Parasitic Nematodes (PPN) pose to the crop, a study was conducted to appraise the effects of Arati-OBD+ organic fertilizer in the control of associated phytonematodes in a field in Abeokuta. Responses of Free-Living Nematodes (FLN) to the organic fertilizer were also recorded. The fertilizer was applied at 0 tha-1, 5 tha-1 or 10 tha-1, laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Five core soil samples were collected randomly from the rhizosphere at depth of 0-30 cm, once every month for the period of three months per plot. Soil samples per plot were bulked to form a composite sample from which 250 g sub-samples were obtained and assayed for nematode presence, type and numbers of each found. Results indicated that 11 genera of PPN were found in the organic peppermint tested. They included Helicotylenchus, Rotylenchus, Rotylenchulus, Meloidogyne, Longidorus, Aphelenchus, Radopholus, Tylenchulus, Ditylenchus, Hoplolaimus, Pratylenchus and some free-living nematodes. These nematodes varied significantly (P 0.05) across treatments. Application of Arati-OBD+ at 5 tha-1 and 10 tha-1 significantly (P 0.05) suppressed PPN compared with untreated (control) plots. Ditylenchus, Tylenchulus, Meloidogyne, Radopholus and Aphelenchus decreased by up to 100% (total control), Helicotylenchus by 73 - 50% and Rotylenchus by 60 - 33% in the treated plots while the FLN increased by as much as 18 - 47% in the soil following application 5 – 10 tha-1

SCREEN HOUSE ASSESSMENT OF NEEM-FORTIFIED CASSAVA PEEL POWDER FOR CONTROLLING NEMATODES AND YIELD IMPROVEMENT OF SUGARCANE (SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM)

Screen house trials for the assessment of Neem-fortified cassava peels for control of plant-parasitic nematodes and yield improvement of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) were conducted in Moor plantation, Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria. Cassava peel powder (CPP) solely and in combination with Neem Leaf Powder (NLP) or Neem Seed Powder (NSD) at 100gCPP/10 Litre soil, 90gCPP+30gNSP/10 Litre soil, 80gCPP+20gNSP/10 Litre soil, 70gCPP+30gNSP/10 Litre of soil, 90gCPP+10gNLP/10 Litre soil, 80gCPP+20gNLP/10 Litre soil, 70gCPP+30gNLP/10 Litre soil were incorporated into potted naturally infested soil in the screen house, at 14 d before planting. All treatments significantly (p<0.05) reduced plant-parasitic nematode population. Soil treatment with Cassava Peel Powder in combination with Neem Leaf Powder at 70gCPP+30gNLP/10 Litre of soil recorded the most effective control for soil and root nematodes associated with sugarcane in the two screen house trials. The soil amendment also supported the good vegetative growth and yield of sugarcane, which is an indication of its capability to improve soil fertility

Impact of Gateway Organic Fertilizer on Herbivorous and Non-Parasitic Nematodes Associated with Telfairia Occidentalis Hook F. Field

Although fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.) is cherished because of its nutritional, medicinal and industrial values, its profitable production and sustainability in agro-ecosystems is threatened by plant-parasitic nematodes. This study, therefore, tested the hypothesis that Gateway organic fertilizer can effectively suppress herbivorous nematodes while increasing the non-parasitic types. Gateway organic fertilizer (GOF) is one of the series of novel commercial fertilizers being utilized by organic farmers in South-western Nigeria. In this assessment, GOF was applied at the recommended rate of 5 tha-1. Application of 0 tha-1 served as the control. Treatments were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design and replicated four times. Nematode identification, census and population analysis were conducted following extraction from soil collected from the field. Six cores were randomly taken per plot at 0-30 cm, bulked to obtain homogenous composite sample out of which 250 g sub sample was obtained for nematode extraction. The procedure was repeated once every month for three successive months. It was evident from the results that six (6) genera of herbivorous (plant-parasitic) nematodes were found associated with the fluted pumpkin, namely Rotylenchulus, Helicotylenchus, Hoplolaimus, Pratylenchus, Caloosia and Meloidogyne. Total riddance (100%) was observed in GOF-treated plots (P ≤ 0.05) compared to the control on herbivorous nematodes except for Helicotylenchus (100-36%). On the contrary the non-parasitic nematodes increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in the treated plots (from 0 to 10 and to 81). This work demonstrated that GOF caused fewer parasitic and greater populations of beneficial nematodes in fluted pumpkin

Changes in Antioxidative Enzymes in Resistant and Susceptible Genotypes of Tomato Infected with Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne incognita

: Field trials were conducted during 2010 and 2011 planting seasons to assess the bio-nematicidal potential of wild sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia) compost in the control of Pratylenchus brachyurus infection on maize (Zea mays) cv ACR 97. Field trials were arranged in randomized complete block design, with 5 treatments, each replicated 4 times. Experimental plots where no compost were applied served as the control; while other treatments were 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 tons/ha. The result obtained shows that higher application rates of 2.0 and 2.5 tons/ha. gave significant (p<0.05) control measure on P. brachyurus with resultant higher growth and yield of maize. The soil nematode population where 2.0 and 2.5 tons/ha were applied had significant (p<0.05) lower number of P. brachyurus. The result of the phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids and flavonoids, which were hypothesized to be the nematoxic principles in wild sunflower compost