Root-knot Nematodes on Vegetable Crops in Central and Western Ethiopia

Abstract

A survey for root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) was undertaken in the central and western parts of Ethiopia during the 1998-2000 cropping seasons. Eight hundred twenty eight samples were collected from different vegetable crops during both the rainy and offseasons. The major crops grown in the areas are tomato, pepper and onion while other vegetables assessed included snap bean, cabbage, beetroot, carrot and potato. Three rootknot nematode species namely Meloidogyne incognita, M. javanica and M. ethiopica were found. Out of 192 field samples in all vegetables, 119 (62%) were found to be infested with Meloidogyne species. M. incognita was the dominant species with total incidence of 55.3% and 57.7% in 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons, respectively. Mixed
infection of M. incognita and M. ethiopica was higher in 1999-2000 season next to M. incognita with an incidence o f 32.7%. Pepper and tomato were the most seriously affected crops and should receive precedence in future research endeavors.