Evaluation of Root- Knot Nematode Management Strategies Based on Nematode Distribution in Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) Fields in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, Kenya
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EVALUATION OF ROOT- KNOT NEMATODE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES BASED ON NEMATODE DISTRIBUTION IN TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM) FIELDS IN MWEA, KIRINYAGA COUNTY, KENYA GEORGE NGUNDO WABERE, (B.Sc.) REG NO I56/21146/2010 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PLANT PATHOLOGY IN THE SCHOOL OF PURE AND APPLIED SCIENCES OF KENYATTA UNIVERSITY MAY 2016 ii DECLARATION This thesis is my original work and has not been presented for a degree or any other award in any other university. George Ngundo Wabere Department of Plant and Microbial Sciences Signature Date We confirm that the work reported in this thesis was carried out by the candidate under our supervision. SUPERVISORS Dr. George M. Kariuki Signature Date Department of Agricultural Science and Technology Kenyatta University Dr. Francis Kariuki Signature Date Department of Plant Sciences Kenyatta University Dr. Jonah Birgen Signature Date Department of Plant Sciences Kenyatta University iii DEDICATION I dedicate this work to my supportive supervisors, friends and family. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I wish to express my utmost appreciation to RUFORUM for funding this study as well as the Plant and Microbial Sciences Department of Kenyatta University who facilitated the progression of the project. My sincere gratitude goes to my University supervisors, Dr. George Kariuki, Dr. Francis Kariuki and Dr. Jonah Birgen for their continued guidance and encouragement throughout the study. This study was also made possible due to the support of the management and staff of the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) with special thanks going to the Plant Quarantine Station (PQS) KEPHIS for offering me access to laboratory and greenhouse facilities. My gratitude is also extended to all the members of staff of the Plant and Microbial Sciences Department for their support. Above all, I offer my utmost gratitude to God for giving me the courage and will to complete this project as well as to my family for giving me the moral and material support. v Table of Contents DECLARATION ................................................................................................ ii CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................. 1 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ............................................................................................ 1 CHAPTER TWO ................................................................................................ 6 2 LITERATURE REVIEW ....................................................................... 6 2.1 The tomato plant ..................................................................................... 6 2.2 Root-knot nematodes (RKN) .................................................................. 7 2.3 Symptoms of RKN ................................................................................. 9 2.4 Host range of root-knot nematodes ....................................................... 11 2.5 Root-knot nematodes management options ........................................... 11 2.5.1 Biological control .............................................................................. 13 2.5.2 Crop rotation ..................................................................................... 15 2.5.3 Use of organic soil amendments ........................................................ 17 2.5.4 Host resistance .................................................................................. 18 2.5.5 Chemical Nematicides....................................................................... 19 3 MATERIALS AND METHODS .......................................................... 24 3.1 The study area ...................................................................................... 24 3.2 Field experiments. ................................................................................ 26 3.2.1 Baseline survey ......................................................................... 26 3.2.2 Nematode extraction from soil .................................................. 26 3.2.3 Determination of nematode densities ......................................... 28 3.2.4 Seedling establishment for field and greenhouse experiments .... 28 3.2.5 Field experiments to evaluate different nematode management .... strategies based on the varying densities of RKNs ..................... 29 3.3 Greenhouse experiments ....................................................................... 30 3.3.1 Determining egg mass index ..................................................... 33 3.4 Determining the relative cost of different RKN management options under varying nematode densities ......................................................... 34 3.4.1 Data collection .......................................................................... 34 3.4.2 Data analysis ............................................................................. 35 vi CHAPTER FOUR ............................................................................................ 36 RESULTS ...................................................................................................... 36 4.1 Survey of plant parasitic nematodes associated with tomato production in Riambogo area of Mwea ....................................................................... 36 4.2 Effect of treatments on the fruit weight per plant under varying nematode densities................................................................................................ 41 4.3 Effects of treatments on the number of fruit per plant under varying nematode densities ................................................................................ 43 4.4 Effects of treatments on the galling index ............................................. 45 4.5 Effects of Mocap application on the numbers of Meloidogyne spp. J2s . 47 4.6 The effects of different nematicide (Mocap) applications on the numbers of fruit per plant under greenhouse conditions...................................... 49 4.7 Effects of different nematicide (Mocap) applications on the weight of fruit per plant under greenhouse conditions ........................................... 52 4.8 Effects of different nematicide (Mocap) applications on the the galling index per plant under greenhouse conditions ......................................... 54 4.9 Effects of treatments on the benefit cost ratio per acre of production ..... 56 CHAPTER FIVE ................................................................................................ 61 5 DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............. 61 5.1 DISCUSSION ...................................................................................... 61 5.1.1 Baseline survey of plant parasitic nematodes ............................. 61 5.1.2 Effects of treatments on number and weight of fruits per plant .. 65 5.1.3 Effects of MMocap on galling index and average numbers of ...... Meloidogyne spp. J2s ................................................................ 69 5.1.4 Effects of treatments on relative costs of nematode management . strategies ................................................................................... 77 5.2 CONCLUSION .................................................................................... 79 5.3 RECOMMENDATION ........................................................................ 81 REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 82 Appendix 1 ....................................................................................................... 110 ANOVA tables and Normality Plots ................................................................. 110 vii LIST OF TABLES Table 3.1. Treatment units (combinations) used in the greenhouse 33 experiments Table 4.1 Nematode genera identified from soil samples obtained 38 from Riambogo area in Mwea. Table 4.2. Common names of Plant Parasitic nematodes observed 41 in Riambogo Area of Mwea Table 4.3. Descriptions of soil sampling points in Riambogo area 42 in Mwea. Table 4.4. Effects of treatments on the galling index (field seasons 1 47 & 2) Table 4.5. Effects of application of nematicide (2g Mocap) on the 48 number of Meloidogyne spp. J2s Table 4.6 Effects of treatments on the average galling index. 50 Table 4.7 Effects of treatments on the average galling index in the 56 greenhouse experiment (season 1 & 2) Table 4.8 Effects of treatments on the benefit cost ratio per acre of 59 production in the field experiment (season 1 & 2) Table 4.9 Cost of production per acre in the field experiments, used 60 in the calculation of benefit cost ratios viii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2.2 Healthy tomato roots. Picture taken at Mwea Riambogo area. 10 Figure 2.1. Root galling in tomato roots caused by Meloidogyne spp. 10 Picture taken in tomato field at Mwea, Riambogo area. Figure 3.1. Map of Kenya showing the general location of Kirinyaga 26 County. Figure 4.1 Chart showing effects of treatments on average fruit weight 43 for the three varieties (field season 1 and 2) Figure 4.2 Chart showing effects of treatments on the average number 45 of fruit per plant (field season 1 and 2). Figure 4.3 Effects of Mocap application on the numbers of Meloidogyne spp. 49 j2s. Figure 4.4 Effects of the various treatments on the average fruit weight 54 per plant in the greenhouse