BANANA FIBRE PAPER AS A SUSTAINABLE NEMATICIDE DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR IMPROVED NEMATODE MANAGEMENT, CROP PRODUCTIVITY AND SOIL HEALTH

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) and green pea (Pisum sativum) are important staple and legume crops in Kenya, yet their productivity is increasingly constrained by plant parasitic nematodes (PPN), including root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) and potato cyst nematodes (Globodera spp.), as well as other biotic and abiotic stresses. Traditional nematode management approaches, including chemical nematicides, face limitations such as environmental toxicity, high cost, and restricted applicability, highlighting the need for integrated, sustainable alternatives. This study evaluated the efficacy of banana fibre paper technology, biodegradable paper treated with abamectin, fluopyram, or Trichoderma asperellum, on PPN suppression, potato cyst nematode reproduction, crop yield, and soil health in field trials in Nyandarua and Nyamira counties. Four field experiments were conducted across multiple cropping seasons, including treatments of abamectin-paper, fluopyram-paper, Trichoderma-paper, untreated paper, and controls. Nematode populations were monitored at planting and harvest while potato cyst nematode reproduction, crop yield, and soil health indicators, including free-living nematode (FLN) abundance, ecological indices, and microbial biomass were assessed at crop harvest. Data were analysed using ANOVA with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results revealed that banana fibre paper treatments significantly reduced PPN densities: abamectin-paper reduced nematodes by up to 48%, while fluopyram-paper achieved 58–72% reductions depending on season and cultivar. Trichoderma-paper resulted in 40–65% suppression and consistently increased yields. In peas, suppression was minimal and did not translate into yield gains. Trichoderma-paper enhanced FLN abundance and diversity, increased enrichment and structure indices by 25–40%, and boosted microbial biomass by up to 60%, whereas chemically treated papers, particularly fluopyram, elevated basal indices and lowered fungal-to-bacterial ratios, suggesting reduced soil food web complexity. This study provides novel evidence that integrating chemical and biological nematode control within a slow-release biodegradable matrix can suppress PPN while conserving or enhancing soil ecological function under smallholder conditions. The findings offer a practical, and cost effective nematode management approach for farmers in Nyandarua and Nyamira. It is recommended that future adoption focus on Trichoderma-enriched banana fibre paper and optimize pelletized formulations for improved field efficiency and ease of use.