Publication Date
1989
Description
Meloidogyne javanica, root-knot nematode, has been described as the most serious pest of crops in Central Africa (Daulton & Curtis, 1963). It is widespread in Zimbabwe and very damaging to susceptible crops, particularly tobacco. Good tobacco growers use integrated control measures, sterilizing seed-beds with methyl bromide, lands with ethylene dibromide (EDB) and resting with three or four year Katambora Rhodes grass pastures. Katambora controls M. javanica, improves soil structure, reduces erosion and provides cattle fodder as grazing and poor quality hay. A breeding project has been established in Zimbabwe to combine the better forage production of tetraploid Rhodes grass strains with root-knot nematode resistance (York, 1989). This is given impetus by the foreign currency earning capacity of tobacco and the need for more forage for beef production. The possible withdrawal of EDB and absence of a formal seed increase scheme for Katambora (which may have led to differences between stocks of this cv.) are further stimuli.
Citation
York, P A., "Progress and Prospects for Combining Resistance to Meloidogyne javanica (Grass Root-Knot Nematode) with Improved Forage Yield in Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass)" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 43.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session3b/43
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Progress and Prospects for Combining Resistance to Meloidogyne javanica (Grass Root-Knot Nematode) with Improved Forage Yield in Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass)
Meloidogyne javanica, root-knot nematode, has been described as the most serious pest of crops in Central Africa (Daulton & Curtis, 1963). It is widespread in Zimbabwe and very damaging to susceptible crops, particularly tobacco. Good tobacco growers use integrated control measures, sterilizing seed-beds with methyl bromide, lands with ethylene dibromide (EDB) and resting with three or four year Katambora Rhodes grass pastures. Katambora controls M. javanica, improves soil structure, reduces erosion and provides cattle fodder as grazing and poor quality hay. A breeding project has been established in Zimbabwe to combine the better forage production of tetraploid Rhodes grass strains with root-knot nematode resistance (York, 1989). This is given impetus by the foreign currency earning capacity of tobacco and the need for more forage for beef production. The possible withdrawal of EDB and absence of a formal seed increase scheme for Katambora (which may have led to differences between stocks of this cv.) are further stimuli.
