Abstract

Aim: The study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of selected indigenous fungi in managing potato cyst nematodes.

Materials and Methods: Experiments were carried out at Kwa Harakain. Treatments comprised of Trichoderma atroviride, T. atrobrunneum, T. tomentosum 1, T. tomentosum 2, Purpureocillium lilacinum, bionematon (commercial bionematicide) and untreated control. Randomized complete block design with four replicates was used. Treatments were applied as soil drenches at a rate of 6kg/ha at planting, 30 and 60 days after planting. Plant growth was assessed based on plant height, root length and crop biomass while nematode reproductive potential was based on juvenile count and reproduction factor. Data was subjected to one way Analysis of Variance using SAS software and means were separated using Least Significant Difference at P≤0.05.

Results: The fungal isolates significantly enhanced shoot height, root length, dry root and shoot weight and yield compared to the untreated control. The isolates significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced PCN juvenile population by 6 to 43% compared to the negative control in which juvenile population increased by 80 to 104%. Significant differences were observed in PCN reproduction factor (RF) with the maximum RF of 1.9 and 2.4 being obtained in the control during first and second season respectively. The least RF (0.42; 0.46) was recorded following application of T. tomentosum 2 during first and second season, respectively.

Conclusion: It was concluded that T. atroviride and T. tomentosum 2 can be adopted to suppress PCN in potato as part of their integrated management.

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