Vertical and horizontal distributions of plant - parasitic nematodes associated with banana CV. Williams under flood irrigation regime

ABSTRACT

Under flood irrigation system, the vertical and horizontal distributions of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with soil and roots of banana cv. Williams were investigated. The sampling data generally indicated that the highest population density of parasitic nematodes viz. Criconemoides spp., Helicotylenchus exallus, Hoplolaimus spp. and Meloidogyne incognita were concentrated at soil depth layers of 0-15 cm, and 16-30 cm at the horizontal distance of just beneath the plant base [zero cm] and 40 cm from the banana pseudostem base which is correlated with the growth and distribution of the feeder roots of banana. These sites should be considered as the best sampling points for such coin habiting nematodes