Spatial-temporal distribution of plant-parasitic nematodes in banana (Musa AAA) plantations in Ecuador

Resumen

Objective: To provide quantitative information about population densities of the major nematode pests in Ecuadorian banana plantations. Methodology and results : Banana root samples taken from 2000 to 2007 in the banana ( Musa AAA) plantations of Ecuador were analyzed in NEMALAB and used for this study. Nematodes were extracted from 25 g of fresh roots that were macerated in a kitchen blender; nematodes were recovered in a 0.025 mm pore size (No 500 mesh) sieve. Four plant parasitic nematodes were detected, and based on their frequencies and population densities their relative importance was established as follows: Radopholus . similis > Helicotylenchus spp. > Pratylenchus spp. > Meloidogyne spp. R. similis was most abundant accounting for 43 to 67% of the overall root population throughout the sampling years. From a total of 9,999 root samples, 9,482 (95%) contained R. similis , 7,916 (79%) Helicotylenchus spp., 3,068 (31%) Pratylenchus spp. and 706 (7%) Meloidogyne spp. When all nematodes present were pooled (total nematodes) only 20 (0.2%) samples were free of phytonematodes. Conclusions and application of findings : High populations of total nematodes were found in all the years, months and provinces. These results confirm these four nematode genera as the major cause of banana root damage and yield reduction yield. Research for nematode management tactics needs to be developed considering the total phytonematodes population.