Potential use of environment friendly Maerua angolensis extracts as alternative to synthetic nematicides in rural small scale cassava production.

Abstract

Cassava is a crop with great potential in addressing the challenges of malnutrition, rampant in the African continent. In southern Africa, the crop has a minor status being produced mainly by smallholder farmers until recently. There is scant information on the effects of root-knot nematodes in cassava production. The aim of the study was to determine the contribution of Maerua angolensis extracts in the management of Meloidogyne incognita in two cassava cultivars (cv. ‘Mbonisweni’ and ‘Mganduzweni’). Treatments were laid-out in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) under greenhouse conditions with five replications. Treatments of consisted of 0, Nemacur, 184; 368; 736; 1472; and 2944 kg/ha of M. angolensis. Both cultivars had nematode reproductive-factors and potential greater than one and no nematode effect were observed on plant growth of the two cassava cultivars. M. angolensis had equivalent effect on M. incognita populations as commercial nematicide, Nemacur. In conclusion, ‘Mbonisweni’ and ‘Mganduzweni’ cultivars were tolerant to M. incognita and M. angolensis plant extract have potential use as an alternative to commercial nematicides in cassava production.