New approaches for sucker selection in greenhouse banana to reduce nematode number in subtropics

Abstract

Banana is grown in both tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is also grown in the Mediterranean coastal region of Turkey. Many pests including plant parasitic nematodes cause damages to banana. The nematodes may both limit the growth of suckers from which reproduction of banana is achieved, and reduce fruit quality and quantity. The effect of nematodes on suckers based on distance to mother plant has not been fully understood. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine effect of the distance of sucker plants from mother plants to the nematode population, stem diameters, plant growth and yield. Nematode extraction was performed by a modified Baermann funnel method and nematodes were identified under the microscope. Results revealed that Helicotylenchus multicincitus was the most abundant one followed by Meloidogyne javanica and M. incognita, respectively. The yield of new seedlings obtained from the first sucker of the mother plant were 51, 46 and 48 kg / plant, while it was 32, 30 and 31 kg / plant in the control plots (sucker plants next to the mother plant). Overall, a positive correlation was determined about distance of sucker plant from mother plants and yield. Yield increases were observed as 59%, 53% and 55% in three greenhouses, respectively. In addition, yield and quality were enhanced because of lower nematode population. The suckers next to the mother plants were unable to grow due to the higher nematode density. It can be concluded that the efficiency of this application increases when used with integrated pest ma nagement strategies.