International Journal of Agriculture and Forestry 2014, 4(1): 34-40 DOI: 10.5923/j.ijaf.20140401.05

Field Utilization of Nitrogen Fertilizers for Controlling Root-knot Nematode and Improving Growth and Yield of Cucumber

Muwaffaq R. Karajeh1,
Farah M. Al-Nasir2

1Plant Protection and IPM Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Mutah University, Karak P.O. Box 7, 61710, Jordan
2Plant Production Dept., Faculty of Agriculture, Mutah University, Karak P.O. Box 7, 61710, Jordan

Abstract

Efficacy of nitrogen salts at 2, 4, and 8 mmhos/cm electrical conductivity (EC) on the host-pathogen relationship of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) was investigated and compared with the effects of nematicides at 2 locations. Root galling of cucumber roots caused by M. javanica was more effectively suppressed using ammonium-containing salts: NH4Cl, (NH4)2HPO4 and (NH4)2SO4 at EC4 and EC8 than at EC2 and in a similar effect level of the nematicide, oxamyl or ethoprophos, and the reduction was accompanied by a reduction in the nematode final population number. At higher EC levels, NH4Cl followed by (NH4)2SO4 led to an increase of salinity up to about 1750 and 1245 mg/kg, respectively, without affecting cucumber growth and yield. Diammonium phosphate was superior over the ammonium salts in increasing cucumber growth and yield despite root-knot infection. Use of nitrogen salts could control M. javanica and improve growth and yield of cucumber under field conditions.

Keywords Ammonium salts, Cucumis sativus, Meloidogyne javanica, Plant-nematode interaction, Management.