Determination of Maize Performance (Growth and Yields) in a Field Infested with Spiral Nematodes (Scutellonema spp.)

Abstract

Maize is a significant food security crop in Kenya serving as a main source of calories among the small-holder farmers. The overall maize yields per hectare have been fluctuating in the past few years posing a great risk to food security. Among the factors associated with maize yield loss include plant feeding nematodes. This study evaluated the impacts of plant parasitic nematodes specifically Scutellonema spp. on maize performance under field conditions in Mwea, Kenya. Field trials were laid out in a complete randomized block design with each treatment comprising four replicates. Treatments included maize plots without nematicide (MPWN), and control plots treated with nematicide. Experiments were conducted in two trials i.e. 2018 and 2019. Soil samples were taken at a depth of 0-20 cm at monthly intervals during the trials. During the two trials, MPWN recorded significantly lower plant height and number of leaves per plant. Correlation analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between Scutellonema abundance and growth indicators such as leaf area index, plant height and number of functional leaves in MPWN during 2019 trial. This implies that higher population of Scutellonema perhaps has the potential to affect leaf area index, plant height and number of leaves per plant; aspects that will consequently influence maize productivity. Therefore, holistic sustainable management practices to control Scutellonema spp. in maize fields such as use of organic amendments, resistant maize cultivars and antagonistic organisms are crucial in order to alleviate negative impacts linked to Scutellonema infestation.