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

Abstract

The effect of the UNA strains of Trichoderma spp., and Paecilomyces lilacinus, a mixture of the two and directed application of Oxamil 24 SL at the base of the stem, for the control of nematodes and the production of plantain (Musa AAB) was evaluated. A commercial plantation infested with nematodes and planted with the cultivar CENSA ¾ was selected. A randomized complete block design with 5 replications was used. Monthly applications of phytoparasitic fungi were made for each strain at 1x1012 for 6 months. The chemical nematicide was applied on the soil surface every three months with Oxamil 24SL at the base of the pseudostem. 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 greater bunch weight and stem circumference than the mother plant, compared to plants without this application. Plants treated with Oxamil on the soil surface showed a higher percentage of functional root compared to the control. The plants evaluated with Oxamil increased the bunch weight, showed a greater number of hands, calibration, fruit length and stem circumference with respect to the plants without application.