Distribution of Meloidogyne incognita (root-knot nematode) in Some Vegetable Fields in Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

A survey o f root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, in major tomato, pepper and cabbage growing areas o f eastern Ethiopia was conducted in 1997 cropping season. The objective o f this work was to study distribution o f M. incognita in relation to altitude, soil texture and pH. A total o f 150 soil samples and some infected root portions were collected from six vegetable growing areas o f eastern Ethiopia. Ninety percent o f the soil samples were detected to have M. incognita. Population density of root-knot nematode increases as sand content and pH o f the soil increase (r = 0.88, P < 0 .0 1 ; r = 0 .54, P < 0 .0 5 ) , respectively. Whereas, clay, silt content and altitude had shown an inverse relationship (r = -0.88, r = -0.74 and r = -0.83, P < 0 .0 1 ) , respectively.