01212nam a2200193 a 450000100080000000500110000800800410001910000170006024500250007726000600010230000090016249000390017152007270021065000110093765000150094865000100096370000230097370000220099616400462000-11-13       1981    bl uuuu     u0uu1 u    #d1 aJONES, R. K.  aNematodes in bananas  aPretoria: Department of Agriculture and Fisheriesc1981  an.p.  aFarming South Africa. Bananas H.11  aPlant nematodes, commonly called eelworms, are worm-like animals that are too small to be seen with the maked eye. A few exceptions, e.g. adult female root-knot nematodes, are swollen and rounded. Individual plant parasitic nematodes feed on the sap from the roots of a host plant and, where there are high numbers of these nematodes, damage to the host's root system may be severe. Populations as high as 500 nematodes/g of banana roots have been recorded. The damage caused by nematodes depends on many factors including soil type, age of plant, water supply, fertiliser, rainfall, mulching and nematode species present. In general, however, they probably cause at least 25%, and sometimes up to 90%, loss in production.  aBanana  aNematóide  aPraga1 aVILLIERS, E. A. de1 aRICHARDSON, M. D.