Plant Parasitic Nematodes in Africa

In this week’s podcast Dr. Jonnny Dalzell guest hosts from Tanzania.  He visits with scientists from IITA that are helping devise solutions to nematodes.  Nematodes are microscopic soil worms that are difficult to control and require substantial chemical inputs that are not always available and can be hazardous. Uncontrolled nematodes lead to damaged crops, and damage is not always apparent until it is too late.  Dr. Dalzell speaks to IITA Kenya scientists Dr. Nessie Luambano, Dr. Danny Coyne, and Dr. Leena Tripathi.  They discuss the problem of nematodes, some of the proposed solutions, and some of the frustrations of having good work stalled because of a lack of funding and political will to move them forward.