Effects of Meloidogyne incognita on Growth and Nutrient Content of Amaranthus viridis and Two Cultivars of Hibiscus sabdariffa

Abstract

Pots with seedlings of callaloo (Amaranthus viridis) and the 'Red' and 'White' cultivars of sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa) were inoculated with 0, 100, 1 000, and 10 000 eggs of Meloidogyne incognita race 1 and the plants were grown for 6 weeks in a greenhouse. Nematode reproduction was good on Red sorrel, poor on callaloo, and was inhibited by White sorrel. Dry weights of infested callaloo roots were greater than weights of noninfested roots. Shoot heights, leaf areas, and dry shoot and root weights of infested plants of both sorrel cultivars were less than those of noninfested plants. The concentrations of the nutrients varied with the host, plant organ, and initial nematode density. The shoot/root ratios of the elements were similar at all inoculum levels (Pi) except those of callaloo roots at Pi = 10 000, which had significantly lower and higher ratios of sodium and manganese, respectively, than those of noninfested plants.