1. research for development CSIR-crops research institute In-house review and research planning 2012 Plant nematology research Yaw Danso

2. Previous activities Titles Evaluation of cocoyam (Xanthosoma saggitifolium L.) clones for reaction to plant parasitic nematodes infestation Integration of SCARDA fellows into national agricultural research systems (NARS)

3. Activity 1 Evaluation of cocoyam clones for reaction to plant parasitic nematodes infestation Funded under WAAPP

4. Research Team Y. Danso: Plant Breeder/Nematologist Dr. K. Osei: Plant Nematologist Mr. E. Omenyo: Cocoyam Breeder Mr. J. S. Asante: Chief Technician

5. Goal Host resistance as a sustainable management strategy

6. Objective To identify sources of nematode resistance for incorporation into the X. saggitifolium breeding programs

7. Introduction Plant parasitic nematodes are potential pests of X. saggitifolium Meloidogyne spp. induce galling, malformation on corms; stunting and yellowing of foliage Little information available on nematode pests associated with X. saggitifolium in Ghana

8. Methodology Location – Fumesua (forest zone) Clones size – 9 Experimental design – RCBD Replications - 3

9. Methodology Plot Size – 60 m x 32 m Nematode extraction method – Modified Baermann Funnel

10. Methodology Nematode count data was log transformed [In(x + 1)] Root - gall index, square root [√(1 + 0.5)] transformed Statistical package – GenStat

11. Assessment Initial soil population (pi) Gall Index (0 – 5) Cormel number and weight (kg) Final soil population (pf) Juveniles per (g) peel

12. Results Fig. 1: Initial population density of plant parasitic nematodes/200 ml soil

13. Activity 2 Integration of SCARDA MSc. fellows into national agricultural research systems (NARS) Funded under WECARD/SCARDA

14. Activity 2.1 Mentoring support Develop proposals Research programs ►Management can use to actively engage beneficiaries in research for development

15. Mentors/Facilitators Dr. S. Ennin – SCARDA focal person Dr. K. Osei – Nematologist, CRI Prof. R. Akromah – Breeder, KNUST Dr. M. B. Mochiah – Entomologist, CRI

16. Objective To receive mentee support to develop convincing proposals and research programs

17. Activity 2.2 Networking and learning skills needed to improve the performance of SCARDA fellows

18. Objective To expose SCARDA fellows to ‘networking and learning’ to build peer relationships and collaboration on key productivity enhancing initiatives

19. Outcome SCARDA fellows experiential learning and networking skills enhanced Peer-to-peer collaboration and learning enhanced

20. Activity 2.3 Documentation of success stories on signs of change as a result of SCARDA capacity strengthening DANSO Y, Akromah R & Osei K. (2011). Molecular marker screening of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) germplasm for root-knot nematodes resistance. African Journal of Biotechnology 10 (9): 1511-1515. Available online at http:academicjournals.org/AJB. DANSO Y, Osei K & Akromah R. (2011). Phenotypic evaluation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) germplasm for root-knot-nematodes (Meloidogyne species) resistance. Ghana Journal of Horticulture 9: 1- 12. ISSN 0855-6350.

21. Objectives To support SCARDA fellows to publish success stories in print and video To write articles from individual thesis MONOGRAPH DANSO, Y. (2011). Screening tomato germplasm for nematode resistance; the use of phenotypic and molecular markers, LAMBERT ACADEMIC PUBLISHING, GERMANY. ISBN: 978-3-8443-8795- 7; Available online at http://www.getmorebooks.com

22. Year 2012 activities Project titles Evaluation of cocoyam clones for reaction to plant parasitic nematodes infestation would be repeated Managing nematode pests and improving yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) with neem seeds (Azadiracta indica)

23. Managing root-knot nematodes and improving yield of okra (A. esculentus) with neem seeds (A. indica)

24. Research Team Y. Danso: Plant Breeder/Nematologist Dr. K. Osei: Plant Nematologist Ms A. Ankomah: Biometrician Mr. J. S. Asante: Chief Technician

25. Objective To devise environmentally friendly option of managing root-knot nematodes and improving yield of okra

26. Introduction Okra is infamous for its susceptibility to root- knot nematodes Infected plants are stunted and unhealthy with irregular growth and reduced prod n Use of synthetic nematicides is a threat to environment and mankind; unreliable results from other interventions have called for sustainable and acceptable mg’t options

27. Can neem seeds offer a solution ?

28. Introduction Nematicides of plant origin include; Isothiocyanates, thiophenics, glycosides, alkaloids, phenolics & fatty acids (Gommers, 1973) Neem products as soil additive provide nutrients to improve growth and yield of target crops (Costa et al., 2006)

29. Introduction  Neem seed powder would be evaluated for nematicidal activity against root-knot nematodes infecting okra

30. Root-knot galls on okra roots vrs healthy root

31. Methodology Location – Fumesua (forest zone) Okra cultivar – Asontem Experimental design – RCBD Replications - 3

32. Methodology Treatments Application rate Neem seed powder 500 g per m² Neem seed powder 1 kg ‘’ Neem seed powder 1.5 kg ‘’ Fulan (synt. nem) 5 g per m² Unamended plot (control)

33. Methodology Plot Size – 34 m X 20 m Tomato bioassay to be conducted at the start and end of the experiment Nematode extraction method – Modified Baermann Funnel

34. Methodology Nematode count data to be log transformed [In(x + 1)] Root - gall index square root [√(1 + 0.5)] transformed Statistical package – GenStat

35. Assessment Initial soil population (pi) Gall Index (0 – 5) Fruit number and weight (kg) Final soil population (pf) Juveniles per (g) root

36. Expected output Plant based nematode control strategy achieved Environmentally safe okra production system introduced

37. Merci !