The effects of plant parasitic nematodes on post harvest quality of groundnuts (Arachis Hypogaea)

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of plant parasitic nematode towards groundnut plants and production. This is due to the problem in kenaf plantation by Lembaga Tembakau Negara (LTN) in Telaga Papan, Merang, T erengganu where plant parasitic nematode had been a serious constraint of the field production. The nematode infected soil in the kenaf field was sampled and used for two tests. The frrst test was bioassay with tomato and kenaf plants where galls and egg masses caused by nematode was found respectively in the plants roots. The number of galls and egg masses occurred in kenaf roots was higher compared to the tomato. The second test was conducted for groundnut plantation where two sets of groundnut plantations were prepared in two separate culverts. One of them filled with sample soil and the other with the control soil. Both culverts were planted with 15 groundnuts variety menglambu. The growth of the plants from sample soil seemed stunted with yellowing leaves and chlorosis compared to the plants from control soil which is healthier. After staining with boiling Fuschin Acid, the observation under compound microscope showed the presence of plant parasitic nematode in the roots of the groundnut plants from sample soil. The yield production by the plants in nematode infected soil, which is estimated by the weight and number of pods produce by plants was lower than the plant production from control soil. The total weight produced from sample soil is 26%, lower than the production in control soil which is 74%. The pods from sample soil also showed lower quality in aspect of colour and sizes and some lesions were observed.