Journal of Agriculture and Crops ISSN(e): 2412-6381, ISSN(p): 2413-886X Vol. 8, Issue. 2, pp: 63-67, 2022 URL: https://arpgweb.com/journal/journal/14 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32861/jac.82.63.67 Academic Research Publishing Group 63 Original Research Open Access Study of the Diversity of Nematodes in Vegetable Crops in the Koulikoro Region (Mali) Boubacar Kola Touré (Corresponding Author) Faculty of Science and Technology USTT Bamako Mali; BP 3206 Bamako, Mali Email: boubakola@gmail.com Souleymane Koné Faculty of Science and Technology USTT Bamako Mali; BP 3206 Bamako, Mali Binta Diallo Institute of Rural Economy Bamako, Mali Etienne Guindo Institute of Rural Economy Bamako, Mali Mohamed Maïga Faculty of Science and Technology USTT Bamako Mali; BP 3206 Bamako, Mali Article History Received: 8 December, 2021 Revised: 20 January, 2022 Accepted: 2 February, 2022 Published: 6 February, 2022 Copyright © 2022 ARPG & Author This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International CC BY: Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 Abstract The market gardening sector is confronted with numerous constraints which weaken and hinder its development. Among these constraints is the importance of plant parasitic nematodes. For a sustainable management of these worms, a diagnostic evaluation was carried out in two permanent market gardening of Sébéninkoro (Kati) and Koulikoro town in order to determine their diversity. 54 soil samples of 500 g were taken from 3 plots, ie 27 samples per site. Analysis of these samples revealed the presence of 8 genera of nematodes. Among these nematodes there are nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne very harmful to crops and Tylenchorhynchus. They are common and abundant throughout both sites. Keywords: Market gardening; Phytoparasitic nematodes; Diagnostic; Crops; Koulikoro. 1. Introduction In Mali, market gardening occupies a prominent place among irrigated crops for several reasons. Among these reasons is their important contribution to food security, and also the increase in the monetary income of actors [1]. In Mali, revenue directly linked to this activity is estimated at CFAF 27 billion [2]. Vegetable production in Mali has increased significantly in recent years to reach a value of 1 900 173 tonnes over an area of 173 110 ha [3]. According to the same statistics in terms of production, shallot is the most important crop with 401.285 tonnes. Next comes okra 254 545 tonnes and tomato 175 577 tonnes. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends consuming at least 400g of vegetables per day per capita, or five 80g servings to take full advantage of their beneficial effects on health and nutrition [4]. In Mali consumption is estimated at 103 kg per person per year [5]. According to the planning and statistics unit of the rural development sector [6], the city of Bamako alone consumes around 22 932 tonnes of vegetables per year. Onions and tomatoes are the most consumed with 34% and 25.5% respectively. Next come okra (12.5%) and cabbage (9%). Yield losses caused by plant parasitic nematodes are estimated at 14.6% in tropical countries and 8.8% in developed countries [7]. Globally, this drop in yield is of the order of 12 to 20% [8]. In terms of money, the related crop losses were estimated at 80 to 150 billion US dollars per year [9]. In Mali, nematological analyzes have shown that these nematodes pose serious problems on the malian market gardening sites visited in Bamako and Segou [10]. The most sensitive crops are Solanaceae (tomatoes, eggplant, potato), Cucurbitaceae (melon, cucumber), Legumes (beans), Umbelliferae (carrot, celery, etc.), Compositae (lettuce). Despite the important role that market gardening plays in production, economic growth and food security, the sector remains subject to constraints that weaken and hinder its development. Among these constraints, we can cite insect pests and especially nematodes. The objective of this study is to determine the diversity of parasitic nematodes associated with vegetable crops in the Koulikoro region. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1. Study Sites Two permanent market gardening sites in the Koulikoro region (Koulikoro town and Sébéninkoro) were chosen for the collection of soil samples (Table 1). The samples were taken using a systematic method using a trowel.