Host-suitability of maize varieties to root knot nematode meloidogyne incognita

A study was carried out under plant house condition to assess the reaction of three maize varieties to M. incognita parasitism between May and July 2017. A pot experiment was carried out in a Completely Randomized Design with five replications. Meloidogyne incognita eggs @ 2000 eggs were applied per plant. Mamaba, Obaatanpa and Abeleehi maize varieties exhibited resistance potential by suppressing reproduction, development and establishment of the obligate parasite. Gall index, stem girth, plant height and shoot dry matter weights were not significantly affected. These maize varieties could be incorporated into well planned crop-land rotational and maize breeding systems to minimize M. incognita populations’ build-up and damage to susceptible crops such as okra which follow maize in a crop rotation system.