AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO NEMATODE CONTROL IN QUEEN PINEAPPLE IN NORTHERN KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA

In Northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Pratylenchus brachyurus is causing considerable yield losses in the production of the Queen pineapple, especially on the sandy soils. It is endemic to this region and therefore land not previously cultivated can be infested with nematode numbers at damaging levels. To date soil fumigation has been the main nematode management strategy in Queen pineapple production in Northerm KwaZulu-Natal. Recent research has focused on the evaluation of other non-volatile nematicides to act as a potential alternative for EDB. Two nematicides were registered consequently. To be able to follow an integrated nematode management program, the population dynamics of P. brachyurus, the effect of cultivation practices such as the application of lime to modify soil pH, preplant land preparation and thrash incorporation were studied. It was found that the pH of the soil has an influence on the development of Pratylenchus populations and that the method of land preparation influences the severity and rapidness of nematode infestation after planting.