The role of plant parasitic nematodes on agricultural ecosystem productivity in East Kalimantan

Abstract

The plant-parasitic nematode is one of the most limiting factors for agricultural ecosystem productivity in East Kalimantan. Their occurrence in the agricultural field as crop pest usually undistinguished, due to their minute in size and their existent sealed in the roots or soil particles. However, plant parasitic nematode might cause yield loss up to 75%, without showed any disease symptom on the crop morphologically. Perennial crop and annual crop under intensive cultivation experience high yield loss due to plant parasitic nematodes. Based on time series observation related to pest management in East Kalimantan, it was determined that plant-parasitic nematode existence was neglected and no significant effort to control this pest. So, low agricultural ecosystem productivity in East Kalimantan not only caused by soil fertility problems but also the impact of population outbreak of plant-parasitic nematodes due to inappropriate agricultural practices.