Identity of Root-Knot Nematodes on Vegetables Grown Around Zobe dam and Jibia dam Areas of Katsina State in Nigeria

Abstract

A survey of root-knot nematode infecting vegetables grown around Zobe dam and Jibia dam areas of Katsina state in Nigeria was done to determine the level of intensity, incidence, frequency and infestation of root-knot disease. The result of the survey reveals that, two species Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne javanica are present in the state. M. incognita was found in Jibia dam area while M. javanica was found in Zobe dam area. Of the fields visited (Zobe dam), the incidence of the disease was found 33.3% and in Jibia dam area the disease was 38.8%. However; there was wide variation in the intensity of the disease. The intensity of M. javanica (gall index/egg mass index) was ranged from 2-5/2-5, and that of M. incognita ranged from 3-5/3-5. The tomato (50-57%) was the highly infected crop in both the areas followed by short pepper (37-40%)