ABSTRACT
The toxic effect of Groundnut shell against root-knot nematodes (Meloidogynespp) onCorchorus
olitorius was carried out in the Crop pavilion of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin
in the year 2011. Corchorus olitorius variety ‘oniyaya’ local was planted on a pasteurized soil in
8 litre pots. The number of experimental pots was 30 while the experimental was a randomized
complete block of 6 treatments and 5 replicates.
Each plant stand where necessary was inoculated with 1000 Meloidogyne sppjuvenile.the
treatment were made up of 6 levels;
0% amendment + Nematode
0% amendment + No Nematode
2.5% amendment + Nematode
5% amendment + Nematode
7.5% amendment + Nematode
10% amendment + Nematode
The result from experiment showed that Groundnut shell amendment brought about a significant
increase in the growth of Corchorus olitorius. At 7.5% and 10% amendment levels, plant height,
number of leaves and branches were significantly higher than the other amended and unamended
plants.
The damage caused by the root nematodes on Corchorus olitorius root was significantly lower in
the amended –treated plants than in the inoculated but unamended control.
The higher concentration of 7.5% and 10% were significantly more effective than the lower
concentration of 2.5% and 5% in controlling the nematodes and improving the growth and yield
of Corchorus olitorius.
Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannin, flavonoids and alkaloids in the
groundnut shell; these may be responsible for the observed nematicidaleffect onCorchorus
olitorius.