Pages: (1-4 )
Abstract
The prevalence, infectivity on tubers and persistence of nematodes on yam tuber galls caused by Meloidogyne incognita, were studied in Nasarawa state, Nigeria, through the storage period. Prevalence was measured as percentage incidence in five local governments across the state, while infectivity was measured as gall index on infected tubers. To determine persistence, numbers of nematodes occurring within 2cm depth of tubers were taken for the critical storage months of April, May, June and July. The data was analysed using ANOVA (CRD). Obi had the highest prevalence, 6.07% and the highest rate of infection, GI 3.33, which were both significantly higher than Toto and Lafia when the data was transformed. Lafia had the lowest prevalence, 1.02% and rate of infection, GI 1.17. Mean number of Nematodes present in tubers declined from April to July as storage progressed except for June that was unusually high. The implications of these results are discussed
Keywords: Galls, nematodes, Nasarawa state,,