Nematological Review: Banana Nematodes and Their Control in Africa

Abstract

The most important nematode species in Musa production in Tropical Africa is Radopholus similis which is present in nearly all the dessert banana plantations (export market) and in many cooking banana production areas (staple). Other nematode species also are widespread but have less economic impact. Helicotylenchus multicinctus is the prevailing species on plantains in many regions of West Africa where R. similis is absent. Pratylenchus coffeae occurs occasionally, although dominant in Levubu, South Africa, and found frequently in eastern Ivory Coast. Pratylenchus goodeyi is the most frequently encountered species in the East and Central African highlands where a cooler climate prevails. Nematode control practices are almost exclusive to dessert banana production. These measures rely mainly on the use of nematicides, cultural practices such as fallow, flooding, and the use of clean or in vitro propagated planting material. In contrast, chemical control in cooking bananas is not econ