PLANT-PARASITIC NEMATODES ASSOCIATED WITH SOME VEGETABLE CROPS IN KWANAR ARE IRRIGATION SITE, KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA Abubakar Usman Department of Agricultural Technology College of Agriculture, Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic Katsina E-mail: abubakar19usman64@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: Plant-parasitic nematodes have been reported to constitute serious impediments to crop production especially under irrigation. Information on the occurrence and distribution of these pests at Kwanar Are irrigation site in Katsina State is lacking. A survey of the irrigation site to determine the distribution and population densities of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with some vegetable crops was undertaken. Roots and soil samples were randomly taken from five farms. Analysis of the samples showed that thirteen genera of plant-parasitic nematodes namely, Scutellonema, Rotylenchus, Meloidogyne, Aphelenchoides, Hemicriconemoides, Hoplolaimus and Criconemoides were found to be associated with the crops. Of the thirteen genera identified, Scutellonema, Rotylenchus and Meloidogyne were found to be most widely occurring. Scutellonema and Rotylenchulus formed more than fifty percent of the total nematodes population identified. The preponderance of the nematodes reported in this study portends serious implications on profitable production of vegetable crops. Further investigation is recommended for better understanding of the nematodes associated with the crops in the irrigation site.
