POPULATION DIVERSITY OF NEMATODE ASSOCIATED WITHIN SIX SELECTED CROPS IN AKURE SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Abstract
Plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) pose a major threat to global crop production, damaging a variety of crops such as cereals, legumes, vegetables, and tubers. These microscopic pests not only reduce crop yields but also harm crop health, threatening food security and agricultural sustainability. This study was conducted to assess the population and diversity of nematodes associated with six economically important crop okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), pepper (Capsicum annuum), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) in Akure south local government, Nigeria. The investigation aimed to identify the different nematode genera, determine their relative abundance and population density, and compare their diversity and distribution across the selected crops. Soil samples were collected from the rhizosphere of the six crops using a randomized sampling pattern. Nematodes were extracted using the modified Baermann’s funnel technique and identified down to the genus level using a compound microscope. A total of 14 nematode genera were isolated and identified across all crop samples, the 14 nematode genera were identified were (Meloidogyne spp, Pratylenchus spp, Globodera spp, Radopholus spp, Rotylenchulus spp, Heterodera spp, Helicotylenchus spp, Tylenchorhynchus spp, Aphelenchoides spp, Xiphinema sp., Anguina spp, Hemicyclophora spp, Longidorus spp, Paratrichodorus spp. The genus Meloidogyne spp. was found to be the most and dominant, exhibiting the highest relative abundance across most crops. Analysis of the total nematode population revealed significant differences in infestation levels among the crops
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