Jaydeep A. Patil

By Saroj Yadav and Jaydeep A. Patil

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are responsible for significant monetary losses to horticultural crops. They are unseen foes of crops and devitalize plants by causing injury to plant roots or aboveground parts. From last few decades, increased attention has been paid to nematode problems in horticultural crops in open as well as under protected cultivation. PPNs are obligate parasites, mostly have wide host range and are widespread pathogens of horticultural crops. The dimension of damage is density dependent and their management options vary with type of crop, nematode species and other factors. Recent approaches to combat losses caused by nematodes are the use of nematicides, cultural practices and resistant cultivars that may be used singly or in an integrated manner. This book chapter gives an overview of the emerging nematode problems in horticultural crops and their management strategies.

Part of the book: Nematodes

By Jaydeep A. Patil and Saroj Yadav

Growing of vegetable crops under protected conditions are relatively, an innovative technology and most popular among farmers throughout the country. In last few decades protected cultivation has shown potential enhancement in horticultural production. The southern root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, is an emerging nematode under protected conditions. This nematode can cause chlorosis, stunting and reduce yields associated with the induction of many root galls on host plants. Root-knot nematode severely affect the plant root system by inducing specialized feeding cells i.e., giant cells in the vascular tissues. Recently, this nematode has been considered as a worldwide menace for combat root-knot nematodes, integrated nematode management strategies such as soil solarization, biological control, organic amendment, crop rotation, field sanitation, and fumigants have been developed and successfully used in the past. Here, in this book chapter discussed on biology and life cycle, control measures and proposed future strategies to improve Megalaima incognita management under protected conditions.

Part of the book: Nematodes