PRELIMINARY EVIDENCE FOR RESISTANCE TO RENIFORM NEMATODE, ROTYLENCHULUS RENIFORMIS IN BENGAL BEAN STIZOLOBIUM ATERRIMUM

The reniform nematode population in the rhizosphere of Bengal bean (Stizolobium aterrimum Pipêr &: Tracy) was significantly lower than that of Cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) three months after planting both crops in soil of similar initial nematode population density. Moreover, examination of the development of the nematode on Bengal bean roots revealed that only a small percentage of the reniform nematodes which enter the root develop to become egg-laying females. The data suggest that Bengal bean has resistance to reniform nematode. Several studies have shown that the reniform nematode Rotylenchulus reniformis Linford and Oliveira, 1940, is one of the most abundant plant parasitic nematodes in the soils of the Caribbean ( 1 , 2 , 4 , 6). Brathwaite (1) found that although reniform nematode was widespread in Montserrat, the nematode did not occur in the rhizosphere of Bengal bean (Stizolobium aterrimum Piper 8c Tracy). The objective of the study was to define the host parasite relationship, if any, between reniform nematode and Bengal bean