The influence of fertilizer nutrients on population level of Scutellonema bradys in three yam species

Abstract

Considerable losses in storage of yams (Dioscorea spp.) caused by Scutellonema bradys (Steiner et Le Hew) Andrassy have been reported (Acosta and Ayala, 1976; Adesiyan et al., 1975). The spread of the yam nematodes is mainly through infested planting tubers and soil (Bridge, 1973). Although much is now known about the population increase of S. bradys under different storage conditions (Adesiyan, 1977) little has been reported about the factors that may favour the population increase of the nematode in the field. This paper reports the population changes of S. bradys in three yam species under different levels of Nand P fertilizers commonly applied in yam production in the savannah of Western Nigeria.