Control of Chickpea Root knot Nematodes(Meloidogyne spp.) in Nakuru County, Kenya using Sudan Grass (Sorghum sudanese)

Abstract

Chickpea is a source of food and nutrients to farmers. Chickpea growth and yield production is affected by root knot nematodes. Loss of yields from chickpeas are estimated billions of money annually. Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanese) was used to study the control of root knot disease in chickpea. The study was done in a glasshouse. Completely random design was used. Treatments had eight replicates and uninoculated control was treated with distilled water. The aim of the study was to control root knot nematodesusing Sudan grass. There was significant reduction of root galling, gall index and number of juveniles in the soil at P=0.05 in Sudan grass treatment. Inoculated control recorded highest gall ratings, gall index and number of juveniles. There was a relationship between gall index and root weights. Roots with highest and lowest gall index were associated with high and low root fresh and dry weights respectively. The results of this study confirm the nematicidal effect of poultry manure and Sudan grass.