The effect of organic soil amendments on root-knot nematodes, soil nutrients and growth of carrot

Abstract

A study was conducted on a Haplic Acrisol at the Technology Village of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana to assess the impact of ground neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) leaves-poultry manure on root-knot nematodes, soil nutrients and yield characteristics of carrot (Daucus carota L.). Each neem level (10, 30 and 50 g) was thoroughly mixed with 5 g of poultry manure per kg of soil in a plastic pot and seeds of carrots were sown. Carrots were harvested at three months old. The neem leaves at 10 and 30 g plus the poultry manure significantly reduced root-knots on the carrot roots. The higher dose of 50 g neem leaves plus the poultry manure totally prevented the formation of root knots on the carrot roots. The nutrient status of the soil and in the carrot plant significantly increased relative to the amendment level. The yield characteristics of carrot also significantly increased in relation to the amendment level. The improvement of the nutrient status of the soil and the control of nematodes by the amendments might have led to the improvement of the yield characteristics of the carrot. Combined neem leaves and poultry manure may be used in place of synthetic nematicides and fertilizers to control nematodes and improve soil nutrient levels. � 2006 Asian Network for Scientific Information.