Evaluating the potential of incorporating sugarcane host plant resistance into integrated nematode management strategies

Abstract

Certain sugarcane cultivars have been shown to exhibit resistance against some parasitic nematode species. A field study was conducted to assess potential of integrating this property into nematode control packages to enhance sugarcane productivity. Three sugarcane cultivars were evaluated in a split-plot design under three rates of nematicide aldicarb and replicated thrice. Significant differences (P ≤ 0.05; P ≤ 0.01) were observed in girth, plant height, millable stalks number and yield among the different cultivars and nematicide rates. KEN83-737, N14 and Co 421 reduced nematode populations in treated plots by 67, 49 and 32% while supporting nematode population growth in untreated plots by 24, 33 and 92% respectively at 9 months after planting. Reduction in nematode numbers resulted in a mean increase in yield, girth, plant height, millable stalks number and pol % cane by 34, 18, 37, 53 and 6% respectively. This reduction was highest for resistant and lowest for susceptible cultivars, hence indicating the reduction was partly due to host-plant resistance status of the cultivars. This study established that use of resistant/ tolerant cultivars with aldicarb has an additive effect in reducing nematode numbers resulting in improvement of yield and quality of sugarcane.