Variability in reproductive fitness and virulence of four Radopholus similis nematode populations associated with plantains and banana ( Musa spp.) in Uganda.

Burrowing nematodes (Radopholus similis) are among the most serious nematode pests affecting banana and plantain (Musaspp.). In Uganda, bananas, which are known locally as “matooke”, are the main staple.Radopholus similispopulations collected in four banana-growing locations (Namulonge, Mbarara, Ikulwe and Mukono) were cultured monoxenically on carrot discs, and we compared the variability in reproductive fitness and virulence (as a function of time and inoculum level) of different populations ofR. similisfrom Uganda. Their level of pathogenicity was determined by assessing the nematode reproductive ratio; that is, final population divided by the initial population. Thesein vitroexperiments showed that theR. similispopulation from Mbarara had the highest reproduction ratio, while the population from Mukono had the lowest reproduction ratio. This assessment along with pathogenicity experiments on hostMusaplants provides a means for defining pathogenicity groups amongR. similispopulations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]