Incorporating Crotalaria Species in Cropping Systems for the Management of Root-knot Nematodes in Indigenous Vegetable Crops in Western Kenya
Abstract
203 words
There is rekindled interest and increased demand for African
Leafy Vegetables (ALVs) by rural and urban dwellers of all
socio-economic classes in Kenya. This has stimulated
production of these vegetables but their supply has not been
able to meet the demand, leading to low consumption levels.
This has led to high occurrence of disorders such as acute
megaloblastic anaemia, blindness and low immunity resulting in
severe birth defects, malaria, HIV/AIDs and worse still deaths
of more than four million children and mothers annually. Rootknot
nematodes (RKNs) especially Meloidogyne spp. are key
vegetable production constraints in western Kenya. They
reduce plant growth by lowering water and mineral uptake and
by enhancing crop damage by certain pathogens. Because of
being less environmentally harmful and due to the increased
demand for organic produce, the use of antagonistic crops in
nematode management is a potentially valuable alternative to
chemical nematicides. The objective of this study is to assess
the effectiveness of Crotalaria species in rotation or as an
intercrop in managing RKNs in susceptible vegetable crops like
Solanum spp. and Cleome spp. Results will enable farmers to
design and implement effective crop cycles that will result in
increased vegetable production in nematode prone fields of
Western Kenya.
Subjects
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