Soil Nematodes Associated With Persea americana Mill. (Avocado) In Bounty Harvest Farm, Indang Cavite, Philippines

Abstract

Nematodes are needle-like roundworms except in some female species which becomes round or
pyriform. Their body is cylindrical and has a tapered end, covered in the cuticle. Their mouth is located at the
anterior end. They have all the major organs except the circulatory and respiratory organs. Plant-parasitic
nematodes are considered to be one of the pests which could inflict damage and affect the plants and all of its
organs. In this study, soil samples from Bounty Harvest Farm in Indang Cavite were collected from three (3) adult
avocado trees using a soil auger and following a stellate-shaped sampling pattern with five sample points on the
drip line or the perimeter covered by the tree's shade and five inner sample points near the trunk. This was
performed on every adult avocado tree. A composite sample of the soil was separated for soil analysis and was
sent to the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), Philippines. The soil samples were used for the
extraction of nematodes using a modified Baermann Tray and sieves and then fixed with the formalin-glycerol
solution. Observation of nematodes was done using microscopy and preparation of nematode slide mounts was
also done. Four (4) plant-parasitic nematodes were extracted and identified namely: Rotylenchulus sp.,
Aphelencoides sp., Merlinius sp., and Seinura sp. and three (3) free-living nematodes: Mononchida sp.,
Rhabditides sp., and Dorylaimida species. However, the nematodes found were in low number and might be due
to N and P in the soil in small amount.