Effects of organic manure types on the growth, yield as well as root and soil populations of root-knot nematodes (meloidogyne incognita) of tomato

Abstract

Studies on the effects of some organic manure types on plant-parasitic nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) was conducted at Kabba College of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Kogi State, Nigeria in the year 2008 and repeated in 2009. The organic manure types (poultry manure, cow dung, compost and domestic waste) were applied as soil amendment and were incorporated into the soil at the rate of 5tons per hectare while there was an untreated control treatment that acted as standard check. The experiment design was complete randomization comprising of five treatments and each treatment was replicated 4 times. The result of the experiment shows that all the organic manures types were effective in reducing the population of root- knot nematodes with resultant increase in growth and yield of tomato. Poultry manure is more effective than other organic manures with respect to the tested parameters. There were significant differences between the various treatments and all the treatments were significantly different from the control with respect to the tested parameters. The result of this experiment confirmed organic manure as an effective farm input for managing M. incognita in all endemic areas with a resultant increase in the growth and yield of the plant.