PLANT PARASITIC NEMATODES ASSOCIATED WITH TOBACCO (NICOTIANA TABACUM L.) IN SOKOTO STATE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

Surveys of tobacco-growing fields of Sokoto state revealed the presence of 17 different plantparasitic ematode genera in the rhizosphere and roots of this crop in low to high numbers. Meloidogyne incognita, M. javanica, Rotylenchulus reniformis, Pratylenchus spp., Scutellonema spp. and Helicotylenchus spp. are onsidered to be potential serious nematode pests on this crop and may become a major limiting factor in tobacco growing if left unchecked. Heavycrop losses due to root-knot nematodes were observed in certain localities. The presence of moisture in ‘fadama’ lands, where tobacco is chiefly grown, and repeated cultivation of the crop, favour the population buildup of nematodes and subsequent increased crop losses.