Biological and chemical alternatives for the management of phytonematodes in plantain AAB (Musa paradisiaca L.) in Rivas, Nicaragua

Abstract

The effect of UNA strains of Trichoderma spp. and Paecilomyces lilacinus, a mixture of the two, and a targeted application of Oxamil 24 SL on the stem base were evaluated for nematode control and banana (Musa AAB) production. A commercial plantation infested with nematodes and planted with CENSA ¾ Cultivar was selected. A randomized complete block design with 5 replications was used. From each strain, monthly applications of phytoparasitic fungi were made at 1x1012 for 6 months. Chemical nematicide was applied on the soil surface every three months with Oxamyl 24SL at the base of the pseudo stem. Root samples were taken every month in each replicate for nematode analysis. Nematode populations were reduced in plants treated with UNA Trichoderma spp. and Paecilomyces lilacinus strains. Plants treated with these strains showed higher bunch weight and stem circumference of the mother plant compared to plants without this application. Plants treated with Oxamyl on the soil surface showed a higher percentage of functional roots with respect to the control. Plants evaluated with Oxamyl increased bunch weight, and showed a higher number of hands, calibration, fruit length, and stem circumference with respect to plants without application.