EFFICACY OF OIL PALM BUNCH ASH IN CONTROLLING MELOIDOGYNE INCOGNITA ON SOYBEAN (GLYCINE MAX)

PALM BUNCH ASH

Abstract

      

An investigation to evaluate the effect of Oil Palm Bunch Ash on Meloidogyne incognita infections on soybean (Glycine max) was carried out at the Research and Teaching Farm of the Federal College of Agriculture Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, in 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons. The treatment was Oil Palm Bunch Ash at different levels, (control, 5tons/ha, 8tons/ha and 11tons/ha) fitted into a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data collected were averaged on plant height (cm), the number of leaves, the number of galled roots, and the number of galls per root (gall index) and nematode population at harvest. The data were subjected to statistical analysis of variance. Significant treatment means were separated using least significant difference at 5% level of probability. Results  showed  that  Oil  Palm  Bunch  at  11tons/ha  produced  the  greatest  control  for  root-knot  nematode  by significantly (P<0.05) reducing the number of galled root and galls per root at harvest (gall index). Results  also revealed that nematode population was high in the control plots. The growth and yield parameters were significantly (P<0.05)  higher  in  the  plots  treated  with  8tons/ha  and  11tons/ha  of  Oil  Palm  Bunch  Ash.  It  is  therefore, recommended  that  oil  palm  bunch  ash  from  11tons/ha  could  be  employed  by  farmers  to  suppress  root-knot nematode in a soybean field and increase soybean yield.


INTRODUCTION

Soybeans are botanically called  Glycine max. The crop belongs to the family Leguminouseae and sub family of Papilinoideae. Glycine max is a species of legume native to East Asia, widely grown for its edible bean which has numerous  uses.  The  plant  is  classified  as  an  oilseed rather than a pulse (FAO,2009).

Soybean    grown    for    seed    production    is    annual, leguminous,  warm  temperature,  short  day  plant, normally bushy and erect.  Usually, plant height varies from 40 to 100cm, plants are much branched with well- developed  root  and  each  plant  produces a  number  of small pods containing one to four rounds usually yellow in colour according to the cultivar. The plants are categorized into determinate and in determinate types. The determinate types are short and terminate growth with the onset of flowering and growth tips and in a pod bearing  raceme.  The  harvesting  can  be  in  one  round because all pods usually ripen at the same time (Upfold and Olechowski, 2000).

Among   the   many   pests   that   affect   grain   legumes, soybeans production particularly, are plant parasitic nematodes (Muthukarishnan et al, 2003). Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) has been one of the major limiting factors to soybean production in Ishiagu. The root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) causes conspicuous root galls and serious reductions in growth and yield in soybean. Local farmers use inorganic nematicides like Furadan and some Pyretheroids in checkmating the effects of this nematode. Though, nematicides hold major promise in nematodes control (Adegbite, and Adesiyani, 2001), the high cost, their non- availability at the time of need and the hazards they pose as environmental pollutants discourage most potential users in Nigeria.

Nematodes  have  long  been  causing  economic  loss  to soybean farmers. This is because of the nematode persistence  in  the  soil  even.  Nematode  infection  has been overcome using  synthetic  nematicides which are costly and hazardous to our environment. Therefore, there is need to seek for alternative control measures, which are affordable and which will protect man and his environment  during  controlling  the  pathogen (nematode).

The objective of the research was to determine the effect of oil palm bunch ash on root-knot nematode infections on soybean.


MATERIALS AND METHODS

The research was carried out in the Research and Teaching Farm of the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu Ebonyi State of Nigeria during 2012 and 2013 growing seasons.


Experimental Design: The treatment used was oil palm bunch ash at the levels of 5t/ha, 8t/ha and 11t/ha and control. The experimental design used was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with the treatments replicated three (3) times.

The site measured 8m x 10m giving a total land space of 80m2  (0.008/ha). The land was demarcated into three (3) blocks or replicates giving twelve (12) plots. The plot size used was 2m x 2m.  The inter bed spacing was 0.5m (50cm) and the space between each block was 1m.


Soil Analysis: The physical and chemical properties of

the soil in the experimental area were analyzed in the laboratory by collecting a  composite soil sample from different representative field locations using soil auger at a depth of 20 cm for initial soil characteristics.     At harvest, another soil samples were collected from each of the plots to determine the changes that occurred due to treatment application.


Oil Palm Bunch Ash: The chemical compositions of the oil palm bunch ash were analyzed in the laboratory to determine the chemical compositions of the ash.


Planting/Sowing:   The   soybean   seeds   were   sown directly into the field, at a spacing of 40cm by 30cm on the  bed  at  the  rate  of  two  seeds  per  hole  and  later thinned down to one two weeks after planting.


Maintenance  of  experimental  plots:  Two  weeding operations were carried out manually with hoe and hand pulling. The first and second weeding operations were carried out two weeks and four weeks after planting.


Extraction of root-knot nematode from the soil: 100g soil sample was collected from each experimental plot. The soil was collected in the middle of each plot at the depth of 15cm, rapped with two layers of facial tissue, placed inside a 2mm sieve and placed on top of a 500ml white plastic basket. Then, water was poured on the side of  the  sieve  until  it  touched  the  bottom  of  the  sieve (USDA, 2007).

The setups were left to stand for 3 days to allow the nematodes to crawl into the water, after which the water level was reduced to 100ml. Then, using a pipette, 5ml of each sample was pipetted into a nematode counting dish placed  on  a  powerful  stereo  microscope  for  viewing. This was repeated three times for each sample. The average number of the live nematodes was obtained for each sample per the treatments before treatment application and at harvest.


Data collection

Data were collected on:

Nematode population density in 100g soil per treatment before treatment application and at harvest.

Plant height (cm) at  3 MAP. Leaf number at  3 MAP.

A number of fresh pods at harvest.

The weight of fresh pods at harvest in (kg). A number of galled root at harvest.

Number of galls per root (gall index) at harvest which was scaled thus;

0 = No galls,1      = 1 – 10 galls,2 = 11 – 20 galls,3 = 21 –

30 galls,4 = 31 – 40 galls, 5 = 41 – 50 galls and 6 = > 51 galls.

Data analysis: The data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) per the procedure for Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) as outlined by Obi, (2002). Significant treatment means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at 5% level of probability.


RESULTS

The result in Table 1 showed that the application of the oil palm bunch ash positively increased the physic- chemical properties of the soil among the treated plots, which significantly  differed (P<0.05) from each of  the treated  plots  showing  higher  value  than  the  control plots. Table 2 shows the chemical constituents of the oil palm bunch ash used in the experiment.

Result obtained from Table 3 focused on the effect of treatment on the mean plant height (cm) and a number of leaves of soybean. The result showed that the control produced the lowest mean plant height of 39.34cm followed by 5t/ha with mean plant height of 39.63cm.

11t/ha  produced  the  height  mean  plant  of  49.38cm followed by 8t/ha with mean plant height of 44.47cm. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference among the treatment mean.


Table1. Effect of Oil palm Bunch Ash on the Soil physicochemical Properties.

Before treatment Application                                 After treatment application

Physical

Control

5t/ha

8t/ha

11t/ha

% sand

%silt

% clay

Texture

41:80                                          55.80

33.40                                          26.06

24.80                                          18.20

Loam                                          Loam

57.80

26.00

16.20

Loam

49.80

30.00

20.20

Loam

49.80

30.00

20.20

Loam

Chemical

Control

5t/ha

8t/ha

11t/ha

PH (H2O)

6.5                                            5.04

6.30

6.54

6.89

P (mg/kg)

3.50                                           8.80

12.30

15.50

20.50

% N

0.046                                          0.042

0.063

0.070

0.098

% OC

0.53                                           0.308

0.476

0.784

1.204

% OM

0.91                                           0.531

0.821

1.351

1.208

Ca (cmolkg-1)

4.00                                           4.00

4.00

6.00

8.40

Mg(cmolkg-1)

1.60                                           2.80

3.20

3.20

3.60

K (cmolkg-1)

0.133                                          0.077

0.143

0.149

0.195

Na (cmolkg-1)

0.683                                          0.052

0.122

0.165

0.174

H+/EA AL3+

1.60/0.72                                      1.68

0.92

1.28

0.48

 
 

Nitrogen (N)

0.42

Phosphorus (P)

0.325

Potassium (K) Cmol/kg)

1.025

Calcium (Ca) (Cmol/ha)

0.40

Magnesium (Mg) (Cmol/kg)

0.091

Sodium (Na)

0.58

Organic Carbon (OC)

28.49

pH

0.10


 Table 2. Chemical Properties Of The Oil Palm Bunch Ash.

Table   3.   Effect   of   Oil   Palm   Bunch   Ash   on   plant height(cm) and a number of leaves at 3MAP.

Number of leaves

29.53

29.61

33.78

 
 

Treatment

Plant height (cm)

Control

39.34

5t/ha

39.63

8t/ha

44.47

  11t/ha            

               49.39                   

LSD(0.05)

NS


                  35.42                  NS

The  results  showed  the  control  had  the  lowest  mean

number of leaves followed by 5t/ha. 11t/ha produced the highest mean of leaves by 8t/ha. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference among the treatment mean.

The results obtained showed that the application of the oil palm bunch ash to the soil significantly (P<0.05) reduced the number of galled roots and gall index at harvest (table 5). The number of galled roots produced by   the   plant   at   the  control   plots   was   significantly (P<0.05)  higher  than those obtained  from  other treatment levels.

The results obtained showed that the application of the oil palm bunch ash to the soil significantly P<0.05) reduced nematode population (Table 6). The nematode population produced by the soil at control plots was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those obtained from other treatment levels.



Table 5.  Effect of  Oil Palm Bunch Ash on   Number of

Galled Roots and Gall Index at Harvest.

Gall index

1.84

0.34

0.30

0.06

1.20

 
 

Treatment

Number of galled roots

Control

3.95

5t/ha

0.67

8t/ha

0.56

11t/ha

0.39

LSD (0.05

0.86

 
 Table  6.      Effect   of   Oil   Palm  Bunch   Ash   on  Mean

Nematode Population per 100g of Soil.

Treatment

Initial nematode population

Final nematode population

Control

5.67

9.89

5t/ha

6.56

5.45

8t/ha

6.44

2.78

11t/ha

7.00

1.89

LSD (0.05)

NS

0.96

NS = Not Significant.


DISCUSSION

The effect of oil palm bunch ash on soil physio-chemical properties shows that the treated plots  from each of the treated plot showing higher value than the control plots. The  application  of  the  treatment  increased  the  soil nitrogen,    and    when   nitrogen   combines    with    the hydrogen  ion  in  the  soil  it  produces  ammonia  which helps to reduce the population of nematodes in the soil and suppress nematode activities. This agrees with the observation made by Liang et al, (2009) and Hu, and Qi, (2010) that nitrogen addition decreased total nematode abundance and diversity. The increase in nitrogen also leads to vigorous plant growth which was observed in the treated plots which is in line with the observation made  by   Brady   and   Weil,   (2002)   that   nitrogen   is responsible for vigorous growth and development of a dense, attractive lawn and in plants. The oil palm bunch ash increased the nitrogen content from 0.046% before treatment       application       0.042%       (control),        to 0.063%(5t/ha), 0.070%(8t/ha), 0.098%(11t/ha).


The application of oil palm bunch ash also increased the phosphorus content of the soil.  This increase in the phosphorus content helped the seed production as observed in the 11t/ha by giving the highest mean of pod weight (0.340) and the plant height (49.38). Silva and Uchida, (2000) observed that adequate supplies of phosphorus enhance early root formation and growth, greater flowering, seed production and grain quality of plants.  The  treatment  application  also  increased  the potassium  content  of  the  soil  more  than  the  control plots, with 11t/ha giving the highest potassium content in the soil,  The presence of potassium in the soil helps the plant during photosynthesis, enhances the fruit quality and reduces plant susceptibility to disease and growth   regulation;  and   this  was   observed  well  in treated   soil   than   in   the   control.   Datnoff,   (2007) reported   that   potassium   helps   in   the   building   of protein, photosynthesis, fruit quality and reduction of disease in plants.

The treated plots produced the highest number of fresh

pods with the control having the lowest number. This was due to the reduction of the nematode activities in the treated plots thereby allowing the plants in the treated plots to absorb the available nutrients for pod development. Nematode interference with the physiological functions of plants leads to reduced development in most of the plant parts and organs. This work agreed with the work of Cavenesis et al, (2010) who stated that bitter leaf extract increases the yield of okra due to reduction of disease interference.

The number of galled roots produced by the plants in the control   plots   was   significantly   higher   than   those obtained from the treated plots. This was attributed to the chemical contents and their combination of oil palm bunch ash and their interactions with other soil properties contributed to the suppression of nematode attacks   on   the   plants.   This   accounted   for   the   low numbers of galled roots and gall index obtained from the treated plots.   This work agreed with the work of Grandison, (2004) who stated that bitter leaves extracts have an action against root-knot nematode, it also agrees with the work of  Schmuttere,  (2000) who stated  that neem leaf is widely used in controlling root-knot nematodes and another insect pest.

The nematode population per 100g of soil at the control  plots was significantly higher than those obtained from other treated plots. The reduction in population levels of the nematode in the treated plots showed that oil palm bunch ash either repelled or exerted lethal effects on the nematode which varied with the levels of the oil palm bunch ash applied. The higher the level of oil palm bunch ash, the lower the population level of the nematode. This work  agreed  with  the  Schmuttere,  (2000)  who  stated that most part of the neem plant especially the leaves prepared  as  dust,  the  seeds  and  kernel  and  the  ash repels   root-knot   nematodes   on   tomato,   okra   and

soybean plant.

In conclusion, application of oil palm bunch ash to soybean field helped in improving the physicochemical properties of the soil, enhanced plant growth and development, increased plants disease resistance and suppressed the activities of root-knot nematode in the soil. application of oil palm bunch ash at 11t/ha reduced nematode incidence on the test crop and enhanced its growth and yield parameters.



 








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