Assessment of Yam Varieties Reaction to Plant Parasitic Nematodes Infestation in -Two Agro-Ecologies of FCT, Nigeria

Yams (Dioscorea spp.) are monocotyledonous plant that belongs to the family Dioscoreaceae, originated from Southeast Asia. In this study, five popular Yam varieties namely Kwasi, Yangbede, Shakata, Army and Pamio were evaluated for their reactions to Plant Parasitic Nematodes (PPNs) infestation in two locations Kwali and Kuje of FCT, Nigeria where yam is cultivated. Percentage frequency of PPNs, Mean population densities of PPNs and Occurrence of yam varieties were analyzed using Analysis of Variance where means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test at 5% level of probability. The percentage frequency Pratylenchus spp of Kwasi yam variety at Kwali was 51.3% higher than at Kuje 47.5%. Three nematodes; Pratylenchus spp, Meloidogyne spp, and Scutellonema spp were isolated from rhizosphere soils across the locations. Pratylenchus spp mean population was 121.08% and 97.24% higher than Meloidogyne spp was 113.01% and 91.23% and Scutellonema spp was 82.21% & 36.13% at Kwali respectively. However, the mean population at Kuje shows that Pratylenchus spp has 77.08% which is higher than, Scutellonema spp and Meloidogyne spp (28.23% and 23.37%) Similarly, 77.08% and 55.11% of Pamio yam variety were found more than Army at Kwali and Kuje respectively. This research has highlighted the presence of Shakata, Yangbede, Kwasi, Army and Pamio and yangbede yam varieties infestation of PPNs in all locations. Thus, there is a need to factor in nematode suppressive strategies into the cultural practices utilized in the entire yam producing endemic area if optimum yield is to be realized.