Nematode infection predisposes banana to soil-borne Xanthomonas campestris pv musacearum transmission

Xanthomonas wilt is the major disease affecting banana (Musa sp.) and enset (Ensete ventricosum) production in Ethiopia. A pot trial was carried out to establish the possible role of nematodes in soil-borne transmission of Xanthomonas campestris pv musacearum. Clean potted ‘Pisang Awak’ and ‘Matooke’ plants were first inoculated with a mixed population of nematodes [Pratylenchus goodeyi, Meloidogyne spp., Rotylenchus spp. and Radopholus similis] to allow for root damage. After three months, the surrounding soil was drenched with a suspension of Xcm (approximately × 10 cells per mL) and plants were monitored for Xanthomonas wilt development. A significant disease incidence was observed in plants that had been previously infected with nematodes when compared to those which had not been infected with nematodes. It was concluded that the root damage caused by nematodes creates wounds that act as entry avenues for Xcm from the surrounding soil. It was recommended that these results be evaluated on-farm, but in the meantime, an IPM strategy should be adopted for control of Xanthomonas wilt in bananas and enset. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________