Diversity of Nematodes Inhabiting Some Major Crop Plants of India with a Note on their Biocontrol

Abstract

Plant-parasitic nematodes present a formidable pest problem for different crops. Role of such nematodes in agricultural production has remained underestimated. Nematodes like root-knot cause heavy damage to world's food crops, causing an estimated $125 billion loss in food and fiber crops annually. In India, the amount of damage due to these plant-parasitic nematodes accounts for 10-40% of total crop losses annually. The present communication aims to provide an account of diversity of nematodes infesting some major crop plants in India, viz., Potato, Sorghum, Aroids, Arecanut, Ginger, Sugarcane and Rice. It also discusses various biocontrol methods for agriculturally important nematodes that would have relevance to sustainable agricultural practices.