Ask an Expert: Mary Maganga

Nematodes are microscopic  worm-like pests found in the soils. They attack the roots and prevent the efficient uptake of nutrients by plant. They drastically reduce yield and in severe cases, cause the whole plants to fall over. Nematodes are spread from one farm to another through the use of infected planting material. In this video by Planet Forward, IITA’s Mary Maganga shows how to identify roots affected by nematodes.