Abstract

Attempts are underway to cultivate Artemisia afra as an alternative crop due to its medicinal properties which span all 10 international medicinal systems. However, most crop-related developmental projects had not been successful due to the widespread distribution of root-knot (Meloidogyne species) nematodes, which had a wide host range. The objective of this study was to determine the host-status and host-sensitivity of A. afra to M. incognita race 2 was determined at six levels of inoculation in a pot trial. At 56 days after inoculation, treatments were highly significant on reproductive factor (RF) and root galls, contributing 87 and 89% in total treatment variation of the respective variables. At lower inoculation (Pi≥75 eggs and second-stage juveniles), RF values were above unity, whereas at moderate (Pi 250–500) and high (Pi≥1125) inoculation levels, RF values were less than unity. Gall rating at all inoculation levels ranged from 1 to 2 on the North Carolina Differential Scale, whereas M. incognita race 2 infection had no significant effects on growth of A. afra. In conclusion, A. afra had attributes of plant tolerance to infection by population of M. incognita race 2.