EFFECTS OF SINGLE AND MIXED INFECTION OF MELOIDOGYNE JAVANICA (TREUB) CHITWOOD AND FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM (SCHLECHT) SYNDER AND HANSEN ON GROWTH AND YIELD PARAMETERS OF BAMBARA GROUNDNUT (VIGNA SUBTERRENEA (L.) VERDC.

Abstract

The aim of the investigation was to determine the pathogenicity of Nematode-N (Meloidogyne javanica) and Fungus-F (Fusarium oxysporum) in Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterrenea (L.) Verdc.) under field condition using growth and yield parameters. Fungus was sourced from infested plants while nematode was sourced from infested soils using standard procedures. The Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) consisting 5 replicates, 6 treatments, 5 blocks and a total of 150 experimental units. Inoculation of pathogens into Bambara plants was done followed by plant characterization at flowering and maturity stage. Results showed that simultaneous infection by N+F pathogens caused the highest percentage loss in flowering (64.76%), number of pods (75.57%), and weight parameters. This was followed by other mixed treatments in the descending order N+F7, N+F14. The damages caused by mixed interactions of pathogens were higher than the single effects, the least being the fungus. Therefore, inoculation of nematode, fungus simultaneously (N+F) caused significant damages on flowering and yield components of Bambara nut field trials. This finding is crucial in the disease management of Bambara groundnut to enhance its yield and overall productivity to achieve food security.