Authors:
Joseph Kisitu, Toon Janssen, Rogerio M. Chiulele, Ana Maria Mondjana, Danny L. Coyne
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Abstract:
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is an important food crop in Mozambique. The crop is
cultivated almost exclusively by smallholder farmers in warm marginal environments of the
country. Rootknot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are among the major constraints limiting
cowpea yield in the country. Understanding rootknot nematode prevalence, distribution and
damage intensity in major cowpea growing areas is crucial in making control decisions. A study
was conducted to identify rootknot nematode species, determine prevalence, distribution and
damage intensity (incidence and severity) in Mozambique. The study covered 8 districts
belonging to 3 provinces namely: Gaza, Inhambane, and Nampula provinces. Out of the 72
cowpea fields surveyed, 56.9% were infested with rootknot nematodes. Inhambane province
registered the highest root knot nematode prevalence at 74%. Meloidogyne incognita and M.
javanica were the most frequent root knot nematode species encountered. M. enterolobii was
another species observed to be associated with cowpea rootknot in this study. The highest
frequency of M. incognita and M. javanica was observed in cowpea fields from Inhambane and
Gaza provinces, respectively. Provinces differed significantly in terms of the intensity of
rootknot nematode damage in which Inhambane province recorded the highest rootknot
incidence and galling severity at 39.8% and 1.9, respectively. Rootknot nematode damage
intensity differed significantly across districts in which Homoine district registered the highest
rootknot nematode incidence and galling severity at 55.8% and 2.1, respectively.
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