Chitin Amendments for Control of Meloidogyne arenaria in Infested Soil

Authors

  • I. H. Mian
  • G. Godoy
  • R. A. Shelby
  • R. Rodriguez-Kabana
  • G. Morgan-Jones

Keywords:

Mucopolysaccharides, Biological Control, Nematode Egg Pathology, Soil Enzymes, Nematode Control, Soil Fungi, Root Knot Nematodes, Soybean Cyst Nematode

Abstract

The effect of amending soil with chitin on Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal) Chitwood was studied in a greenhouse experiment using silt loam [pH 6.5, org. matter 1% (w/w)] from an infested peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) field. Chitin was added to soil at rates of 0.5-4.0% (w/w). The chitin was allowed to decompose for 3 weeks, then the soil was planted with summer crookneck squash (Cucurbita pepo L.). After 6 weeks of growth, squash plants were examined to determine the level of root galling and the soil was analyzed for soil enzymic activity and microbial populations. No galls were found on plants from soil with 1% or more of chitin. Soils with 0.5 to 2.0% chitin produced plants which were significantly taller and with heavier shoots than those from untreated soil or from soil with 4.0% chitin. Chitin treatments of 2.0% or higher significantly reduced germination of seed, and chitin at rates above 1.0% resulted in a significant reduction in root weight. Chitin amendments resulted in incre

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Published

1982-06-01

Issue

Section

Articles