Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Arbuscular Mycorhyzian Fungi and Organic Fertilizers on Nematods (Meloidogynespp) Phytoparasites and Agronomic Performance of Chili Pepper (Capsicum Annuum L.) in South-Togo

In integrated pest management, agricultural practices aimed at improving the nutritional and immune capacities of the plant are important. The aim of the present study conducted at the Station d'ExpérimentationsAgronomiques de Lomé (SEAL/UL) of the Ecole Supérieure d'Agronomie of the University of Lomé is to evaluate the effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) (Ben10 and 472) and organic fertilizers (compost based on manure and AgroBio based on palm kernel cake and neem seeds) on plant-parasitic nematodes and on some agronomic performances of pepper. The trial was conducted in a randomized complete block design with two-factor split plots. Each treatment was done in three replications. The experimental unit was a 4 m long by 1.2 m wide (4.8m²) plot. Six (6) weeks after sowing, the chilli plants were transplanted to previously laid out beds following a 50cm×50cm cultural pattern. Carbofuran (Furadan) and aqueous extract of fresh Moringa leaves at the dose of 25% were used as positive controls for the selected nematode treatments. On average, 80.74% of the inoculated plants were mycorrhized before transplanting. Three (3) months after inoculation, the root cortex of the plants was mycorrhized at a rate ranging from 12.88 to 16.12%. A strong positive correlation was observed between mycorrhization frequency and intensity (r = 0.93; p < 0.0001). Similarly, a positive significant linear relationship (r = 0.89; p < 0.0021) was observed between mycorrhizal parameters and agronomic performance of chili pepper (size, number of leaves, number of branches). The inoculation of AMFs as well as the use of Moringa aqueous extract significantly (62.14%) reduced the pressure of nematodes infested with chili compared to the control without inocula and Moringa aqueous extract. Inoculation of AMFs, spraying of Moringa aqueous extract and amendment of biofertilizers also improved the growth parameters (height, number of leaves & branching) and productivity of chilli (18-34%) compared to control plants.