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Plant Nematodes and Sustainability in Tropical Agriculture
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 October 2008
Summary
Although plant nematodes are ubiquitous and pathogenic to a wide range of crops, research into these pests in the tropics has been concentrated on commodity crops. While modern intensive tropical agriculture has become unsustainable and often relies on the use of toxic nematicides to control damaging populations of plant nematodes, many traditional subsistence farmers have been able to suppress nematodes by promoting crop diversity and selecting for tolerance and resistance. This paper gives examples of sustainable systems which suppress nematodes. Other examples of once sustainable systems in which nematode problems now occur are discussed and reasons for this instability suggested. The need for farmers to retain responsibility for the development of sustainable systems is stressed. Nematologists and other plant protectionists are encouraged to take a wider view of the complex issues that affect the sustainability of agriculture in the tropics.
Los nemátodos de las plantas y la agricultura continua
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- Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993
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