HOST-RANGE OF THE LESION NEMATODE, PRATYLENCHUS-GOODEYI, COMMONLY FOUND IN HIGHLAND BANANAS OF EAST-AFRICA

Two tests (1 and 2) were established at ARI Maruku, Tanzania, to inves tigate the host-range of the lesion nematode Pratylenchus goodeyi. Sev enty-six plant species commonly found in banana fields were planted in a P. goodeyi-infested field (1) and around infested banana plants (2) . Nematodes were extracted from the roots of each plant species at 4-m onth intervals using the maceration-sieving technique. P. goodeyi was extracted from only five plant species, Commelina benghalensis, Hyperr henia rufa, Musa sp. cv. Nyoya, Plectranthus barbatus and Tripsacum la xam. This indicates that the nematode has a narrow host-range.