Nematode pests of plantain: A case study of Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions of Ghana

A survey of plantain farms was conducted in April 2012 at four locations in two districts of Ghana. The purpose was to identify plant parasitic nematodes (PPN) associated with plantain production in Ghana.

Osei, K.; Mintah, P.; Dzomeku, B. M.; Braimah, H.; Adomako, J.; Mochiah, M. B.; Asiedu, E.; Darkey, S.; Danso, Y

2013

English

A survey of plantain farms was conducted in April 2012 at four locations in two districts of Ghana. The purpose was to identify plant parasitic nematodes (PPN) associated with plantain production in Ghana. The locations were Adomakokrom and Kenyasi in the Brong Ahafo, Adanwomase and Mpobi in the Ashanti region. Demographic and sociological data of farmers, plantain root lesion scores, PPN populations per 200 cm3 soil and 5 g plantain roots were analyzed. Nematode damage to root at Adomakokrom, Adanwomase, Mpobi and Kenyasi were 50, 75, 75 and 50%, respectively. Five nematode species were recovered from the rhizosphere of plantain. The nematodes were in the order of importance; Pratylenchus coffeae, Meloidogyne spp., Rotylenchulus reniformis, Radopholus similis and Helicotylenchus multicintus. High populations of P. coffeae (803/200 cm3), H. multicintus (292/200 cm3) and R. reniformis (343/200 cm3) were extracted from soil samples at Adomakokrom, Adanwomase and Adanwomase respectively. Four parasitic nematodes; Meloidogyne spp., P. coffeae, R. reniformis and R. similis were extracted from plantain roots. Root populations were higher compared with soil samples. For sustainable plantain production in Ghana, an efficient management option must be devised.