A Guide To Introductory Nematology

This book is designed for undergraduate agricultural science students, farmers and farm extension personnel to provide a comprehensive description of plant-parasitic nematodes. It is contructed with 16 different chapters comprising of: an introduction; a brief history of plant nematology; the economic importance of nematodes; general characteristics of a plant-parasitic neamtode; general morphology of nematodes; the anatomy of nematodes; the general life cycle biology of plant-parasitic nematodes; taxonomy/systematics/classification of major plant-parasitic nematodes; classification of nematodes based on feeding habits; identification keys for major plant-parasitic nematodes; damage symptoms caused by the nematodes; interaction of nematodes with other microbial pathogens; different methods of nematode control; prominent nematode resistant crop cultivars; the concept of integrated nematode management; nematode parasites of important agricultural and horticultural crops with their management practices; and fundamental nematological techniques. The introduction covers the definition of nematodes, history of nematology, the yield loss caused by nematodes, some important animal parasitic nematodes, and beneficial nematodes including nematodes used in insect control, weed control, and biological monitoring systems. The morphology and anatomy of nematodes are simply explained with detailed diagrams. The taxonomy classification structure based on evolutionary concepts are provided with major differentiation characteristics between important groups. The life cycle of different feeding groups of plant-parasitic nematodes is illustrated with simple illustrations. Identification keys and symptoms of nematode damage are described with suitable images. Overall, nematode control techniques available in literature are summerised briefly with suitable photographs wherever needed. The nematode pests, their symptoms and specific control measures for major agro-horticultural crops like rice, wheat, cotton, pulses, groundnuts, vegetables, potatos, bananas, citrus, grapevines, spices, medicinal plants and flower crops are discussed. The final chaper of this book presents some basic nematode techniques, including nematode extraction protocols, nematode fixing, and mounting techniques. Overall, this fundamental and easy-to-understand book will be particularly useful for students in the biological and agricultural sciences, agronomists, agricultural extension workers and farmers to enable them to gain more insight and equip them with knowledge to solve problems concerning nematodes.

Research on free-living plants and parasitic nematodes in the soil environment, food security, and nematode-plant interactions is increasing in importance. Plant-nematode interactions heavily impact nutrient availability, crop production, and soil health. The scenarios of work with plant and soil nematodes clarify the primary in-vitro and in-vivo techniques with plant-parasitic free-living soil nematodes. Nematode-Plant Interactions and Controlling Infection illustrates the techniques and recent methodologies as well as the interaction between host and nematodes to achieve nematode invasion in plants. It further investigates the role of the plant in confronting nematodes upon penetration, the challenges that face infected plants to resist nematode invasion, and the risk of transmission of nematodes. Covering topics such as biological control, molecular plant pathology, and organic farming systems, this premier reference source is an essential resource for crop producers, agrochemical professionals, agricultural scientists, botanists, plant breeders, biologists, students and academicians of higher education, librarians, researchers, and academicians.

Phytonematodes are small microscopic invertebrate animals living in the soil as parasites of many plants. Many plant-parasitic nematodes establish strong host-parasitic relations with major food, fruit, vegetable, and allied crops, resulting in a drastic yield loss globally. To control or manage these nematode menaces, farmers or growers use toxic fumigants, as well as non-fumigant chemical nematicides frequently. It is necessary to adopt eco-friendly products to tackle the nematode problem. This book explains the nature of nematodes, the role of organic methods and organic acids in nematode control, and the role of humic acid in agriculture, plant disease control, phytonematode control, nematode control. It also details the success of research trials on phytonematode control using humic acid on banana and citrus nematodes, as well as its compatibility with available biocontrol agents and its future prospects.