Distribution of Plant Parasitic Nematodes on Pepper in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

A survey was conducted in pepper-producing farms in Ilorin, Kwara State between July and November 2021 to study the distribution of plant-parasitic nematodes affecting pepper and to investigate the effects of soil physico-chemical properties on the nematodes. A total of twenty four plant roots and nine soil samples collected from thirty pepper farms were examined. Result showed that seven genera of plant-parasitic nematodes were identified. The location with the highest occurrence was the Ilorin township Stadium with 100% frequency. Relative abundance of Meloidogyne was greater than that of the other nematode species. The results indicate that, apart from the direct influence of the host plant, soil properties play an important role in the abundance, distribution and structure of plant parasitic nematode communities. This validates the potential of nematodes as bioindicator organisms of soil health.