Effects of Acalypha wilkesiana Leaf Extract, Hot and Boiling Water on Plantain Growth Trend and Soil Nematode Densities

Abstract

An experiment was laid out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Technology, Akure to investigate the trend in plantain growth response and nematode population density build up in response to paring, red acalypha leaf extract, hot water and boiling water dip. Above ground plant growth parameters were assessed 55, 84 and 111 days after planting, approximately 8, 12 and 16 weeks respectively. Population densities of plant parasitic nematodes in root rhizosphere at these dates were also investigated. The results indicated that paring enhanced plantain resistance to plant parasitic and edaphic stressors. In a holistic approach, paring and further treating pared suckers in red acalypha leaf extract for 5-15 mins conferred protection against plant parasitic nematodes and liming effect on the soil. This supposed liming effect merits further investigations. However, pre-plant dip of pared suckers in red acalypha leaf extract for 20 mins resulted in stress on the plant, which encouraged high nematode density build up and concomitant parasitism.

Keywords: Helicotylenchus multicinctus, Pratylenchus coffeae, Radopholus similis, plantain, red acalypha, hot water treatment, plant extract