Management of root-knot nematodes in okra through grafting onto kenaf and false roselle

The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of okra grafted onto Hibiscus spp. in the presence and absence of three root-knot nematode species. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 4x4 factorial arrangement with ten replicates. The first factor consisted of the following four rootstocks: kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), false roselle (Hibiscus acetosella), self-grafted, and non-grafted. The second factor was the inoculation of 5,000 eggs and second-stage juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita, Meloidogyne javanica, and Meloidogyne enterolobii in okra plants, plus an uninoculated control. Vegetative development, agronomic performance, and nematode reproduction were evaluated. The grafting of okra onto Hibiscus spp. in the presence of root-knot nematodes provided a greater plant height, scion length, fresh shoot mass, number of fruits, and yield, when compared with self-grafted and non-grafted plants. The averages of the root-knot nematode reproduction factor were low in the plants grafted onto Hibiscus spp., indicating that grafting in the presence of root-knot nematodes is capable of maintaining okra vegetative development and yield.