Management of Root Knot Nematode Affecting Banana Crop by Using Organic Amendment And Biological Products

Abstract

Plant-parasitic nematodes are a major obstacle to sustainable banana production in Morocco. With rarefaction of efficient nematicide, safe and alternative methods need to be developed. This research aims at evaluating the efficiency of some bioproducts: Biocompost (B), Ricinus communis Powder (RP), combined Biocompost with R. communis Powder (RP + B) and a bionematicide based on Paecilomyces lilacinus commercialised as Nemacont (N) against Meloidogyne javanica. All the mentioned treatments not only reduced root knot nematode density and roots gall index significantly, but also improved plant growth. The R. communis powder is the most efficient biological product on M. javanica population suppression and on banana plant growth enhancing.

Keywords: Ricinus communis, Nemacont, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Biocompost, Meloidogyne javanica, banana.