Effectiveness of aqueous leaf extract of Peperomia pellucida and Terminalia catappa in the management of cyst nematode (Heterodera sacchari) on selected rice varieties

Abstract

Experiments were conducted at the teaching and research farm of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin, Nigeria to determine the effect of aqueous extract of Peperomia pelliucida and Terminalia catappa on the management of cyst nematode, Heterodera sacchari on some selected rice varieties. A screenhouse preliminary study was first carried out in December, 2014 to assess the pathogenicity of H. sacchari on ten varieties of rice from which five varieties were selected for field trials. The five selected rice varieties were grown on soil inoculated with cysts of H. sacchari. The field experiment was a 5x3 factorial type fitted into a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Soil nematode population, physiochemical soil analysis and phytochemical screening of the tests plants were carried out. Treatment application of aqueous leaf extract were conducted at the 2nd and 7th weeks after transplanting. Data were collected on the plant height, shoot, root weights, yield and soil nematode population. All numerical data were subjected to analysis of variance (Anova) using GENSTAT statistical package 12th edition and where significant differences were observed, means were separated using fisher’s protected LSD. Results from the study revealed that treatment combination of P. pellucida and T. catappa singly with FARO 60, FARO 61, and NERICA 8 performed significantly higher (p>0.05) than the other rice varieties for most of the growth and yield parameter measured. Significant differences occurred between shoot, root, and yield weight of treated plants and their control counterparts. There was no significant difference between the two plant extracts used with respect to parameters measured. Treated plants performed significantly higher than the control. Based on the results of the study, paddy farmers experiencing H. sacchari infestation are encouraged to treat the field with P. pellucida and or T. catappa, especially when planting FARO 60, FARO 61, and NERICA 8 as these combinations promise to give higher yield.