| dc.description.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. | en_US |
