EFFECT OF VARYING LEVELS OF JATROPHA CURCAS (Jatropha curcas L.) POWDER ON ROOT–KNOT NEMATODE (Meloidogyne incognita) INFECTING CORCHORUS OLITORIUS

Pot experiment was conducted in a screen house to evaluate the impact of various concentrations of Jatropha curcas powder on the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, which infects Corchorus olitorius. This study took place during the 2013/2014 cropping season at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture Kabba. The experiment comprised of six rates (30g, 25g, 20g, 15g, 10g, 5g) of Jatropha curcas powder and a control. These were laid out in a complete randomized design with three replicates. Each pot was inoculated with 1000 eggs/juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita sourced from 50g of infested Celosia argentea roots. Each treatments levels, including the control, were labeled T1 through T7. Data were collected on plant height (cm), leaf count, stem girth, fresh and also dry weights (kg) of the plants. Initial and final nematode populations were also recorded. The data was subjected to statistical analysis using the analysis of variance (ANOVA),while significant differences among means were determined using Duncan's Multiple Range Test at 5% significance level (P=0.05).Results indicated treatment with 30g of Jatrophacurcas powder as the most effective, leading to the highest plant height valued at 31.00cm, number of leaves valued at 29.33 and stem girth valued at 0.87cm. The yield parameters of fresh weight valued at 28.4g and dry weight valued at 10.3 g compared to control at 8 weeks after planting. This study demonstrates the potential of Jatropha powder as a sustainable and ecofriendly management strategy for controlling root-knot nematodes and promoting jute mallow production.