Studies on plant-parasitic nematodes associated with sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L., Lam.) in Gombe State, Nigeria

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L., Lam.) is one of the most frequently eaten food crops. Its production is affected by plant-parasitic nematodes as well as biotic factors. This study was conducted to document the different plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) that limit the gainful production of sweet potato in Gombe State. Thirty soil core samples per hectare were collected at random from sweet potato farms in the three local government areas (Nafada, Kaltungo, and Yamaltu Deba) of Gombe state. The Whitehead and Hemming method and identification keys were used for the soil extraction and genera identification of the plant-parasitic nematodes respectively. A total of 15 plant-parasitic nematodes were recovered throughout the surveyed areas among which 7 are considered major nematode pests of global importance. Irrespective of the surveyed locations, Meloidogyne spp., was found to record the highest population density and prevalence value. The frequency of occurrence in Y/Deba and Nafada LGAs shows that Meloidogyne spp., wasthe most occurring (32 %) genera. In Kaltungo LGA however, Scutellonema spp., and Rotylenchusspp., were the most occurring (17 %) genera. There was a high similarity percentage (≥ 68 %) of PPN genera where 8 genera (Scutellonema spp., Nacobbus spp., Pratylenchus spp., Meloidogyne spp., Heterodera spp., Xiphinema spp., Trichodorus spp., and Rotylenchus spp.) were found to be common amongst the surveyed locations. This is the first report of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with sweet potato in Gombe state, Nigeria. Hence, it is critical to educate farmers in the regions about their effects on the crop and how to successfully manage them.