FACTSHEETS FOR FARMERS
www.plantwise.orgCreated in Democratic Republic of the Congo, May 2014
Using natural nematicide plants against banana nematodes
Recognize the problem
The banana tree is the 4th largest crop in DRC, and it is extremely important to
take care of the tree when it is growing. Nematodes are very small worms that
cannot be seen by the naked eye. They live in the soil and destroy banana tree
roots.
When roots are attacked, the entire plant suffers. They become vulnerable and
end up not producing any bananas, or toppling over.
Nematicides in chemical forms exist, but they are extremely expensive, hard to
apply, and very unsafe for use as they are toxic to humans and the
environment.
Background
Nematodes live in the soil and enter the roots of banana via holes in the root.
They feed and multiply near the roots and cause lesions on the roots that block
the nutrient access to the plant.
Nematicidal plants, like vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides), Crotalaria sp.,
Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) or ricin (from the seeds of the castor oil
plant, Ricinus communis) grow quickly in tropical regions.
The size of the plants are small compared to their leaves. They act by
liberating chemical compounds from their leaves into the soil. These
compounds keep nematodes away from the banana trees.
Management
• Identify nematicidal plant that grow in the area and cut some of the
leaves from the plant
• Take a handful of cut leaves and place them around the banana trees as
mulch early in the morning or late at night
• After their decomposition, the chemicals from the leaves will be liberated
into the soil
• Apply 2 months after the planting of the seeds or seedlings, or when you
start noticing trees being affected by nematodes
Scientific name(s) > Radopholus similis
The recommendations in this factsheet are relevant to: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Nestor Eleko, Henry Tutala
Universite de Kinshasa
email: nestoreleko@yahoo.fr
Edited by Plantwise
Plantwise is a global initiative led by CABI
CD026En
Lose Less, Feed More
Crotalaria is an important
nematicidal plant. (Photo by John
D. Byrd, Mississippi State
University, CC BY)
Crotalaria is an important
nematicide plant. (Photo by
Rebekah D. Wallace, University of
Georgia, CC BY-NC)
