SURVEY OF PLANT PARASITIC NEMATODES IN YAM GROWING BELT OF LAPAI AND PAIKORO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF NIGER STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

A survey of plant parasitic nematodes associated with yam was conducted in the yam growing fields of Lapai and Paikoro Local Government Areas of Niger State in 2019. A total of 30 soil samples were collected from both locations. Nematodes were extracted from soil by decanting and sieving method. Nematodes were identified using morphological and morphometric features. Scutellonema Rotylenchus, Meloidogyne and Tylenchus were the most common of the plant parasitic nematodes associated with yam. Scutellonema bradys, Tylenchus spp. and Meloidogyne incognita were present in all the fields. Kawu village in Lapai local government area had the highest number of Scutellonema bradys (281) as compared to Paikoro village in Paikoro Local Government area with the lowest number of Scutellonema bradys (80). From the survey, Scutellonema bradys is common to all the fields in both Local Government Areas. Nematode management strategy should be factored into yam production program in the study areas to avoid nematode disease outbreak.