Diversity of Plant Parasitic Nematodes of Tree Tomato (Solanum betaceum Cav.) In Kiambu and Embu Counties, Kenya
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Date
2020
Authors
Waswa, Stanlous Juma
Waceke, J. W.
Nchore, S. B.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Middle East Journal of Agriculture Research
Abstract
Surveys were conducted in five areas representing different agro-ecological zones (AEZs) in Kiambu
and Embu counties in Kenya during January to April 2019 cropping season to determine population
density, genera diversity and distribution of plant parasitic nematodes associated with tree tomato
farming systems. Nematodes were extracted from 200cc of soil or 5g of roots using modified
Baermann technique. The nematode diversity and evenness in the study areas were determined using
Shannon and Simpson’s indices respectively. Soil nutrients were determined using Mehlich double
acid digestion. A structured questionnaire was used to get information on farming practices from
sampled farmers. Meloidogyne spp. was the most dominant genera followed by Pratylenchus spp. and
Helicotylenchus spp. in both soil and root samples. Githunguri recorded significantly high mean
number of 15.92 and 4.29 nematodes in soil and root samples respectively. Kiambaa had the highest
diversity index of 1.59 and 0.86 in soil and roots respectively while genera richness was highest in
Kiambaa with 13 nematode genera in soil. Simpson’s index of evenness was highest in Kiambaa with
0.69 and 0.47 in soil and root samples respectively. Githunguri had the high egg mass index of 2.00.
Soil texture and elements of C, P, K and N together with farming practices may have contributed to
the nematode community structure in the study areas.
Description
An Article Published in Middle East Journal of Agriculture Research
Keywords
Agro-ecological zone, Diversity, Plant parasitic nematodes, Baermann technique
Citation
Juma, W. S., Waceke, J. W., & Nchore, S. B. (2020). Diversity of Plant Parasitic Nematodes of Tree Tomato (Solanum betaceum Cav.) In Kiambu and Embu Counties, Kenya. Middle East J, 9(3), 605-616.