Correlations between nematode numbers and damage to banana (Musa AAA) roots under commercial conditions.

Abstract

Correlations between nematode numbers and damage to banana ( Musa AAA) roots under commercial conditions. Nematropica 31:55-65. Relationships between numbers of Radopholus similis and total nematode numbers, and grades of root necrosis and root damage in commercial plantations with mixed Musa AAA cvs Grand Naine and Valery were investigated in a series of four experiments. Three different root damage indices, the Australian index, the Bridge and Gowen index and a Local index, were compared by assessing 100 randomly selected root samples. Correlation coefficients for the three indices were highly significant and varied between 0.38 and 0.40. In a subsequent experiment, working with the Local index, the correlation between R . similis and total nematodes, and root necrosis and damage was not improved when measuring one or both root halves. Using the Local Index, the above mentioned correlation was evaluated in randomly selected root samples from mother plants and their respective follo