Management of Groundnut (Arachis hypogea) Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita): Effect of Prosopis africana Pods.

Abstract

Plant derived nematicides became the focus of research with the loss of interest in the use of chemical nematicides among farmers (Elbadri, 2008). Several plants have been evaluated for their nematicidal potential. There is no report yet on the efficacy of pods of Prosopis africana (Guill. & Perr.) Taub. P. africana which is mostly found in the savannah region and belongs to the family mimosidae. Popularly used as a soup condiment in Nigeria, it is also widely known for its medicinal properties, most especially as a remedy against tooth infection (Iwu, 1993). The pods have a shiny smooth layer which is resistance to biological degradation because of the presence of condensed tannins which are widely distributed in legume pasture species. The anti microbial properties of P. africana have been widely reported, but there is no information on the nematicidal properties of the pods. This research aimed at evaluating the nematicidal potential of the pods