Abstract

The ”Indigenous Cucumis Technologies” (ICTs) were researched and developed for the management of plant-parasitic nematodes, particularly Meloidogyne species, in an attempt to alleviate the void created by the withdrawal of synthetic nematicides from the agro-chemical markets and the drawbacks associated with the use of conventional organic matter as a nematode management practice. Currently, ICTs comprises of four technology types, namely (1) ground leaching, (2) nematode resistance, (3) inter-generic grafting and (4) fermented crude extracts. ICTs, in their various forms, consistently suppressed the nematode numbers and improved crop yields in experimental trials carried out in Limpopo Province, Republic of South Africa. The present paper reviews a decade of successful research and development in ICTs for the management of root-knot nematodes in low-input agricultural farming systems.

Key words: Cucumis species, fermented crude extract, ground leaching technology, inter-generic grafting, nematode resistance.