Nematodes associated with three indigenous leafy vegetables commonly grown in inland valley ecology in Nigeria.

Field study was conducted between January and June 2011 to determine the plant-parasitic and non-parasitic nematodes associated with three indigenous leafy vegetables (Amaranthus viridis, Celosia argenteaandCorchorus olitorius) commonly grown in inland valley by farm practical year students’ trainees at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. The 1.76-ha land was laid out in randomised complete block design with four replicates. Six soil cores were taken per replicate and bulked. Two sub-samples weighing 250 g per replicate were assayed for nematodes using WhiteHead and Hemming Tray method. Results revealed the presence of five genera of plant-parasitic nematodes, namelyTylenchus, Pratylenchus, Helicotylenchus, MeloidogyneandRotylenchulus. Populations ofTylenchusdiffered statistically (p = 0.05) from all others inC. olitorius. The non-parasitic nematodes varied significantly (p = 0.05) among the vegetable types. Galls incited byMeloidogynespp. were more (p = 0.05) inC.argenteaandC.olitoriusthanA.viridis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]