Influence of Cultivar, Age, Soil Texture, and pH on Meloidogyne incognita and Radopholus similis on Banana. R. G. Davide, Associate Professor of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, University of Philippines at Los Baños College, Laguna. Plant Dis. 64:571-573. Copyright 1980 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-64-571.

Radopholus similis and Meloidogyne incognita were detected in seven banana cultivars, but their population densities differed considerably. Roots of cultivars Giant Cavendish, Cardaba, and Bungulan contained higher populations of R. similis than of M. incognita; the reverse was true in Dwarf Cavendish, Lacatan, and Latundan. Population densities of both nematode species were low in Saba cultivar. The population of R. similis progressively increased and that of M. incognita declined with age of Giant Cavendish plantations. This relationship was also observed in plants that had “tip-over” disease and severe root necrosis because of infestation by R. similis. Necrotic roots apparently were not suitable for M. incognita. Nematodes were present in all soil textures, but both species reproduced better in sandy loam than in soil of finer texture. Population development was most successful at soil pH 5.0–5.6.