CONCOMITANT INFLUENCE OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, WATER TEMPERATURE GRADIENT AND ROOT PROCESSING METHOD ON BURROWING NEMATODE EGRESS FROM BANANA ROOTS

Abstract

Splitting of banana roots and their incubation at 25 °C (±2 °C) in plain tap water yielded a significantly higher and physiologically active population of Radopholus similis. Conversely, split root incubation in hydrogen peroxide (20 ml/lit) at 20 °C yielded a higher population as compared to split root incubation at 20 °C in tap water. By and large root splitting had a positive influence on nematode egress from roots compared to unsplit roots.