Efficacy of Banana Paper as a Carrier for Control Agents for the Management of Root- Knot Nematodes
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Date
2024-06
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Globally, potatoes, Solanum tuberosum, are a key staple food crop. In Kenya and East Africa, it is the second most important food crop after maize. Among the various constraints on potato production are plant-parasitic nematodes, RKNs are viewed as the most economically damaging group of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) worldwide. Plant-parasitic nematodes are linked to reduced yields, low quality of crop produce, and high costs of production. The current study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of a lignocellulose fiber matrix (banana fiber paper) as a carrier for control agents in the management of RKN on potatoes in Kenya. The experiment was conducted in both field and pot trials over two consecutive cropping seasons. The experiment was conducted in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, in plots measuring 4x4 meters for two consecutive short rain cropping seasons and in pot trials in a screen-house at Kenyatta University. Mwea was chosen as the experimental site as there is a high prevalence of RKNs in the area brought about by continuous planting of RKN-susceptible crops such as tomatoes in the area. Effectively managing RKNs in Mwea may be essential in improving the yields and incomes of farmers in the region and also providing them with opportunities to successfully venture into potato farming; thus, improving food security in the country. Land preparation was done manually, and then 4x4 meters plots were marked. Treatments were distributed to the plots randomly using a completely randomized block design. The six treatments used in this study included (a) banana paper impregnated with abamectin, (b) abamectin alone, (c) Trichoderma asperellum alone, (d) banana paper impregnated with Trichoderma asperellum, (d) banana paper alone, and (e) untreated control. Seed potatoes sourced from the International Potato Centre (CIP) were planted after wrapping them with banana banana-paper. Data collection on plant height and number of stems began after the crops had germinated and was done after every two weeks throughout the cropping season (12 weeks). The data collected included a) plant height (cm), b) mass of tubers per plant (g), c) mass of the entire root system (g)/plant, d) number of stem/plant, e) number of tubers/plant, g) the reproduction factor of J2’s/200cc of soil. Data were analyzed using R (Version 4.2.3) statistical software (R Core Team, 2023). Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference (Tukey-HSD) test was done where the Analysis of Variances (ANOVA) indicated that there were significant differences (p<0.05) between the treatment means. Banana paper impregnated with abamectin (abamectin-paper) led to significantly increased crop growth, yield and the number of tubers compared to abamectin alone, paper-control and no treatment. The use of banana paper impregnated with abamectin also significantly reduced the nematode density at harvest compared with abamectin alone, paper-control, and absolute-control. However, the paper-control and abamectin alone also significantly improved potato production and nematode management compared to the untreated control. The use of abamectin-paper resulted in a 30% and 36% increase in the number of tubers per plant compared to the untreated control in Seasons 1 and 2, respectively. Additionally, abamectin-paper increased the mean tuber yield per plant by 83% in Season 1 and 148% in Season 2 compared to the untreated control. Additionally, abamectin-paper reduced nematode reduction by 96% in season 1 and 89% in season 2 compared to the untreated control. Consequently, this innovative technology, also known as 'Wrap&Plant,' provides a viable option for nematode management in potatoes under resource-constrained conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Description
A Thesis Submitted In Partial Fulfillment Of The Requirements For The Degree Of Master Of Science In Crop Protection (Plant Pathology Option) In The School Of Agriculture And Environmental Sciences, Department Of Agricultural Science And Technology, Kenyatta University, June, 2024