Proceedings of the First Inter-African Plant Nematology Conference Held at East African Agriculture and Forestry Research Organisation, Kikuyu, Kenya. From October 24th to 28th, 1960

Abstract

The First Inter-African Plant Nematology Conference was attended by delegates from Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Congo (formerly Belgian), Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Union of South Africa, Angola, Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika and the United States of America. The Conference was composed of plant nematologists, plant pathologists and representatives of Shell Chemicals Ltd., and the Shell Development Co., California Fisons Pest Control Ltd., Dow Agrochemicals Ltd. and African Explosives and Chemical Industries Ltd. Two agriculturists were also present Dr. Russell opened the Conference by welcoming all delegates to the Muguga headquarters of E.Α.A.F.R.O. He explained that Ε.A.A.F.R.O. was the central agricultural research facility for Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika and Zanzibar so that problems of common importance to the East African territories were investigated, rather than local problems and E.A.A.F.R.O. was only involved in advisory work when asked by the territories. Clearly plant parasitic nematodes had to be studied on an inter-territorial basis and the principal object of this conference was to enable nematologists, plant pathologists and representatives of the chemical industries manufacturing nematicides to discuss methods of control relevant to Africa. Crop rotation appeared to be a promising line of approach to field control but this involved a full understanding of the host ranges of the species involved and the thorny problems of taxonomy. While chemical methods of control were already available (on a small scale and for certain valuable crops in the field) a knowledge of the practical aspects of soil fumigation was by no means general. The objects of this Conference were therefore to discuss:- 1. The problems of taxonomy of plant parasitic nematodes. 2. Nematode problems of specific crops and the damage resulting from attacks. 3. Methods of control applicable to tropical and subtropical Africa.