International Journal of Nematology and Entomology

International Journal of Nematology and Entomology Vol. 1 (4), pp. 074-077, September, 2013.© International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Managing nematode pests and improving yield of pineapple with Mucuna pruriens in Ghana

K. Osei ¹*, R. Moss², A. Nafeo², R. Addico, A. Agyemang¹ and J.S. Asante¹

¹CSIR- Crops Research Institute, P. O. Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana.

²West Africa Fair Fruit, P. M. B. KD11, Kanda, Accra, Ghana.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Fax: +233-51-60396.

Accepted 3 August, 2013

Abstract

We investigated the potentials of a non-traditional legume crop, Mucuna pruriens and fallow treatments in managing plant parasitic nematodes population and improving the yield of pineapple in 2008 to 2009 at Asamankese in the Eastern region of Ghana. Nematode population density/200 cm³ soil at 6 months of application of treatments and at harvest, population/g^-1 of pineapple root and yield of pineapple were analysed. M. pruriens reduced nematodes population and improved the yield of pineapple considerably. At harvest, rhizosphere soil from pineapple cultivated on bush fallow treated plots recorded significantly P = 0.05) higher populations: 76, 211, 100 and 68 for Helicotylenchus multicintus, Meloidogyne (juveniles) spp., Pratylenchus brachyurus and Rotylenchulus reniformis, respectively while soil from pineapple on weed free-M. pruriens treated plots recorded lower populations: 39, 50, 64 and 31 representing population reduction of 95, 322, 56 and 119%, respectively. Three nematode species: Meloidogyne spp., P. brachyurus and H. multicintus were recovered from pineapple roots at harvest in which the nematicidal potential of M. pruriens was further demonstrated. While significantly (P < 0.01) higher populations (165, 89 and 61) of Meloidogyne spp., P. brachyurus and H. multicintus were recovered from the bush fallow treated pineapple roots, lower populations (39, 35 and 24) of the pests were recovered from weed free-M. pruriens treated pineapple roots, respectively. Thus, M. pruriens reduced populations by 323, 154 and 154%, respectively. The yield improvement potential of M. pruriens was manifested when the main pineapple crop from weed free-Mucuna plots recorded 51 t/ha, whilst a bush fallow treatment recorded 34 t/ha out-yielding the bush fallow treatment by 50%. The use of higher plants in managing nematodes and improving yield of crops is environmentally acceptable and sustainable.

Key words: Ananas comosus, horticultural crop, plant parasitic nematodes, sustainable agriculture.

International Journal of Nematology and Entomology Vol. 1 (4), pp. 064-068, September, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Damage assessment and management of cucurbit fruit flies in spring-summer squash

R. Sapkota*, K. C. Dahal and R. B. Thapa

Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science Chitwan, Nepal.

*Corresponding author.E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 13 August, 2013

Abstract

Cucurbit fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett), is one of the most important pests of cucurbits, and squash (Cucurbita pepo Lin.) is highly prone to damage by this pest in Nepal. Because of the difficulties associated with the control of this pest by chemical insecticides, farmers experienced great losses in cucurbits. Therefore, a participatory field experiment was conducted under farmer field conditions to assess losses and to measure the efficacy of different local and recommended management options to address the problem of it in squash var. Bulam House (F₁). The experiment consisted of six different treatments including untreated control, and there were four replications. All the treatments were applied 40 days after transplanting. Cucurbit fruit fly preferred young and immature fruits and resulted in a loss of 9.7% female flowers. Out of total fruits set, more than one-fourth (26%) fruits were dropped or damaged just after set and 14.04% fruits were damaged during harvesting stage, giving only 38.8% fruits of marketable quality. Application of locally made botanical pesticide ‘Jholmal’ was found superior in terms of fruit size (895 g), quality and yield (62.8 t/ha), and reduced fruit fly infestation in squash as compared to other treatments. Although, ‘Jholmal’ preparation is easy and its application is effective for the management of cucurbit fruit fly, it involves more labor cost and frequent application is a tedious process. Future efforts should be made to find the ways to reduce the cost of its application to make vegetable cultivation more profitable.

Key words: Bactrocera cucurbitae, Cucurbita pepo, pesticide, melon fly, food baits.

International Journal of Nematology and Entomology Vol. 1 (5), pp. 093-101, October, 2013. © International Scholars Journals
 
Full Length Research Paper

Phytosanitary irradiation in South Asia

M. Aftab Hossain¹, J. Guy Hallman²*, A. Shakil Khan¹ and M. Saidul Islam¹

¹Insect Biotechnology Division, Institute of Food and Radiation Biology, Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Savar,

Dhaka 1349, Bangladesh.

²USDA-ARS, 2413 E. Highway 83, Weslaco, TX 78596, USA.

*Corresponding author. E-mail : g[email protected]. Tel: 956 447-6313. Fax: 956 447-6323.

Accepted 23 October, 2013

Abstract

Irradiation has the potential to solve phytosanitary problems related to trade in South Asia. In general, it is the phytosanitary treatment most tolerated by fresh agricultural commodities. Irradiation technology is available in some countries of the region but is only used for phytosanitary purposes for mangoes in India exported to the United States of America since 2007. In this review, we analyze the literature on phytosanitary irradiation, present the protocol for exporting irradiated Indian mangoes, suggest possibilities for the technology in South Asia and discuss further research needs.

Key words: Radiation disinfestation, quarantine treatment, commodity quality, mango export.