Handbook Of Practical Nematology

Nematology is the discipline of science that deals with the study of nematodes or roundworms. Current requirements of practical nematological work and unavailability of expertise and studies in this field indicate a dire need to encourage the likes of this book on the neglected groups of organisms. The authors, in the present book, have attempted to cover the practical aspects of Nematology for U.G. and P.G. students, teachers and research workers. Rather than enlisting numerous methods adopted by various workers, an emphasis is given to most commonly used techniques for every exercise. Additionally, to gain in depth knowledge on a particular topic, further readings have been suggested at the end of each exercise. Illustrations have also been given that will help the readers in the identification of common nematode species and disease symptoms caused by them.

The book is written for under-graduate students of agriculture, horticulture and post graduates specializing in Nematology and Entomology dealing with plant parasitic nematodes. This book covers historical background including the developments in India and abroad, details of morphology, anatomy and taxonomy of plant parasitic nematodes, relevant nematological techniques and focus on nematode problems in important crop plants and their management.

Competitive Nematology' aims to help students to prepare themselves for the various competitive examinations / entrance tests at All India Level including M. Sc. (Agri./Hort.), Ph.D.(Agri./Hort.), Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board, Public Service Commission, Central Plant Quarantine, State Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Sericulture and Forestry apart from the recruitments in Pesticides, Seed and fertilizers industries. This book is first of its kind that covers the syllabus prescribed by the Indian Council of Agricultural and Research, New Delhi. Major aspects of Nematology courses from UG & PG Degree Programmes have been covered in different patterns of questions including the multiple choice, true or false, matching and essay type. Answer key has been provided for the multiple choice, true or false and matching type questions. Questions have been drawn from the aspects viz., human nematodes, animal nematodes, entomopathogenic & beneficial nematodes, history, morphology, anatomy, growth, development, reproduction, feeding habits, biology, ecology, embryogenesis, population dynamics, epidemiology, culturing, biochemistry, histopathology & histochemistry, physiology, genetics & parasitism, identification and classification, morphological, physiological & molecular taxonomy, important phytopathogenic nematode genera, diagnostic keys, phylogenetic & evolutionary concepts, plant diseases induced by nematodes, nematodes of quarantine significance, emerging nematode diseases, life & disease cycles, interactions, crop losses, simulations & models, , various methods & techniques, sampling, soil & root extraction, estimating population densities, disease scoring, symptomatology & signs, host differential test, biochemical & molecular tools for identification, nematicide application techniques, management strategies- prevention, cultural, physical, host resistance, biological, chemical & integrated approaches, future nematicide molecules and novel methods of nematode management.

This unique book contains not only a comprehensive up-to-date summary of the achievements made in all areas of Nematology in South Africa over more than half a century, but it also combines this rather technical part with an insiders narrative of how Nematology started and developed. It also demonstrates how the South African community of nematologists gradually adapted to major changes in agriculture. These were due to a major political shift followed by socio-economic changes and this in an often challenging natural environment. At the same time this book is conceived as a useful source for young scientists to provide them with practical knowledge and critical insight in the field of Nematology. The information given is based primarily on research conducted by nematologists in South Africa. Most of this research was aimed at finding workable solutions for nematological problems confronted by both large-scale commercial producers and smallholding farmers. During a period when funding for scientific research is becoming increasingly scarce, the future demand and quest for practical solutions by applied research will only increase.

This book provides a comprehensive guide to the large number of diseases, disorders and injuries that can cause severe economic losses to banana, abacá and enset crops, and the fungi, bacteria, phytoplasmas, viruses, nematodes and abiotic factors involved. The monoculture of certain banana cultivars in large plantations make the crop particularly susceptible to catastrophic losses from disease and smallholders can also experience major problems. New approaches to breeding, crop management and handling are being developed to meet challenges posed by emerging threats. Handbook of Diseases of Banana, Abacá and Enset both describes and illustrates diseases and is printed in full colour throughout, creating a valuable diagnostic tool. It covers: - The origin and classification of banana, the safe movement of Musa germplasm and banana breeding for disease resistance. - Recent areas of growing research on the most important diseases of banana, such as black leaf streak, Fusarium wilt, Xanthomonas bacterial wilt and bunchy top. - Significant advances relating to pathogens causing less serious and widespread diseases. Authored by an international team of experts, this is an essential reference for all 'banana doctors' around the world. It serves as a useful field and laboratory guide, as well as a source of information for all those investigating diseases of banana, abacá and enset crops.

Vertebrate pests cause considerable damage to environment, agriculture and biodiversity apart from transmitting diseases. The problem is more pronounced in tropical Asia and Africa with non-human primates, elephants, several species of ungulates, rodents, frugivorous and grainivorous birds causing agricultural losses. In Europe and America the damage is due to carnivore predation on livestock, bird damage in cereal crops and rodent problem in urban and agricultural situations. Although there are several excellent books on rodent pest management both in India and at global level, there is a conspicuous lacuna of published books on vertebrate pest management. Even the few publications on the subject mostly deal with birds, rodents, bears, rabbits, foxes, etc because they are written by Americans or Britishers. Because their emphasis is on the problem prevalent in their countries and evaluation of management options available to them. In contrast the problem in tropics especially in India is unique. Rodents of course, are the most destructive. But what rodents do over twelve months of year is matched by a few nights of devastating crop raids by elephants or week long foraging by monkeys. Sporadic and localized damage is inflicted by several species of birds, bats, wild boar, blue bull, bears, hares, peacock etc. The damage is sometimes so high, it is impossible for a subsistence farmer to accept stoically the loss of his entire food source over a couple of days and nights. However, his options are limited in view of conservations and protection status enjoyed by some of these animals. The problem is compounded by religious sentiments associated with a few of them. This book is an attempt to find an acceptable solution to the problem of crop losses of these less studied but economically important groups of vertebrate pests. Sincere efforts have gone into formulation of recommendations keeping in mind the biological needs of vertebrate pests, their conservation status and suffering of the poor farmer. Many a time the sympathies deservedly go to the speechless marauders of crops as it is man who has shrunk, degraded and destroyed their habitat, deprived them of their natural source of food. There are no choices for vertebrate pests but raid the crops in their range but we, humans have several to survive. The book is an attempt to understand this dilemma.

Plant parasitic nematodes are major pests of agricultural crops and cause huge monetary losses. There is a very high risk of spread of plant-parasitic nematodes from one country to another, with the movement of plants and planting materials such as seeds, bulbs, corms, suckers, tubers, rhizomes, rooted plants, nursery stock and cut flowers. In view of the large quantities and the wide variety of materials being imported and exported, it is important to assess the status of invasive nematodes and their quarantine importance in relation to agricultural trade. This book contains information on around 100 invasive nematodes and their potential threat in different countries. Each nematode entry includes information on authentic identification, geographical distribution, risk of introduction, host ranges, symptoms, biology, ecology, planting material liable to carry the nematode(s), nematode vectors, chance of establishment, likely impact, and phytosanitary measures. There are detailed accounts of diagnosis procedures including sampling, isolation, detection and identification of nematodes based on morphological and molecular characters. The book offers a global perspective on invasive plant-parasitic nematodes and useful for practitioners, professionals, scientists, researchers, students, and government officials working in plant quarantine and biosecurity.