A Review on Biology and Management of Radopholus similis

Abstract

The burrowing nematode (Radopholus similis) is an amphimictic species characterized by accentuated sexual dimorphism. Burrowing nematode has migratory endoparasitic habits and it develops and reproduces inside plant tissues of host roots. Fertilization is normally assumed to be bisexual, since females recovered from populations with males usually have sperm in their spermatheca, but reproduction by parthenogenesis does take place. The life cycle of the pathogen is completed in about 21 days at 25°C, and each female lays an average of four to five eggs each day for 2 weeks. This nematode burrows in the cortex of the root, destroying them and causing the formation of cavities then after eggs lay inside the cracks. R. similis of major economic importance and interactions with other pathogens enhance crop damage and yield loss. Phytosanitary measures are of prime importance in reducing the negative impact of plant-parasitic nematodes before they introduce. But once burrowing nematodes have become established in a field, the only option left is to try reducing their preplant density and further spread by the use of combination of different management methods such as crop rotation, cover crops, fallowing, removal of infested material, organic amendments, soil solarisation, hot water treatment, biological, host resistance and chemical methods. Generally knowing the biology of R. similis and its different management strategies contribute more to the reduction of the burrowing nematode and thus, sustainable banana production.

Key words: Radopholus similis, amphimictic, parthenogenesis, sustainable, management