The effect of weed control strategies on Meloidogyne spp. Göldi, 1897 (Tylenchida: Heteroderidae) and Helicotylenchus spp. Steiner, 1945 (Tylenchida: Hoplolaimidae) in banana under water stress

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different weed control practices on the nematode populations in the banana greenhouse of Alata Horticultural Research Institute, Mersin, Southern Türkiye, during the years 2022-2024. The greenhouse experiment was conducted under two irrigation regimes: Full (100%) and Deficit (50%) irrigation, with a split-plot design and three replications for treatments per irrigation. Weed control treatments, including herbicide combinations pre-planting (indaziflam, oxyfluorfen, pendimethalin) and post-planting (glyphosate, diquat), were applied to subplots. Additionally, geotextile mulching and mowing were compared to control plot (weedy) with herbicide combinations. Nematode densities were measured in relation to weed coverage for Helicotylenchus, Meloidogyne and total nematodes. Irrigation regimes had no significant effect on weed control but did affect nematode populations, particularly in the second year. Based on weed coverage, herbicide combinations (indaziflam, oxyfluorfen+glyphosate and pendimethalin+glyphosate) were effective in suppressing nematodes during the first 6 months, with diquat herbicide also helping before harvest. Geotextile mulching suppressed weeds and affected nematode populations. The results showed that weed control was more effective in reducing nematode densities in the first year, while in the second year nematode populations differed as a function of weed coverage. This highlights the importance of managing weed hosts to control nematodes in banana production.