Nematropica (2001) 31, 55-65

T. Moens, M. Araya and D. De Waele (2001)
Correlations between nematode numbers and damage to banana (Musa AAA) roots under commercial conditions
Nematropica 31 (1), 55-65
Abstract: Relationships between numbers of Radopholus similis and total nematode numbers, and grades of root necrosis and root damage in commercial plantations with mixed Musa AAA cvs Grand Naine and Valery were investigated in a series of four experiments. Three different root damage indices, the Australian index, the Bridge and Gowen index and a Local index, were compared by assessing 100 randomly selected root samples. Correlation coefficients for the three indices were highly significant and varied between 0.38 and 0.40. In a subsequent experiment, working with the Local index, the correlation between R. similis and total nematodes, and root necrosis and damage was not improved when measuring one or both root halves. Using the Local Index, the above mentioned correlation was evaluated in randomly selected root samples from mother plants and their respective follower suckers in a third experiment. Mean root necrosis and damage grade in mother roots were double those of follower sucker roots. Correlation coefficients between R. similis and total nematodes, and root necrosis and damage in follower suckers ranged between 0.41 and 0.48, and were always significant. In contrast, these correlations using mother roots were never significant. In the final experiment, roots from mother plants and their respective follower suckers were arranged in 10 different damage classes. R. similis and total nematode numbers was correlated with root necrosis and damage for 0-5, 6-10 and 0-10 damage groups. Correlations were highest for root necrosis and R. similis in 0-5 interval, ranging between 0.62 (P = 0.0002) for mother roots and 0.75 (P = 0.0001) for sucker roots.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Dirk de Waele, Mario Araya

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
damage/losses/economics

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Radopholus similis	Banana/plantain (Musa)	Costa Rica