Authors: Timothy I Olabiyi, Esther A Sanusi
Ban on the importation of synthetic pesticides, particularly nematicides, has gingered nematologists to seek for the environmental friendly alternatives. However, use of organic compost and bio-nematicide have been suggested. The current field experiment was carried out at LadokeAkintola University Teaching and Research Farm, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Celosiaargentea seedlings were inoculated with root knot nematode while some were not inoculated. Different organic compost-type and bio-nematicides were used as treatments for the management of the nematodes. The experiment was fitted into randomized complete block design with 15treatments and four replicates. Data were collected on plant height, number of leaf per plant, gall index, nematode population in the soil and root at planting and harvest. It was observed that all the treated C. argentea have significantly higher plant height, higher number of leaves, reduced gall index, lower population of nematodes in the root and soil when compared with the control. C. argentea, treated with Cassava peel and neem composts without root knot inoculated plants, significantly performed better than other treatments with respect to all measured parameters. There was no significant difference between the measured parameterson C. argentea treated with organic compost and also bio-nematicide. The study concluded that organic compost and bio-nematicide can be adopted as treatments in the management of nematodes on C. argentea.
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