Identification Key For Agriculturally Important Plant Parasitic Nematodes A Manual For 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.

The microscopic soil and plant nematodes that are parasitic on crop plants can be very damaging, and are generally not visible to the naked eye. Their microscopic size means that associating them with crop damage is mainly dependent on determining the symptoms of their effects on plants or plant growth. The damage and symptoms caused can be visible

Plant-parasitic and free-living nematodes are increasingly important in relation to food security, quarantine measures, ecology (including pollution studies), and research on host-parasite interactions. Being mostly microscopic, nematodes are challenging organisms for research. Techniques for Work with Plant and Soil Nematodes introduces the basic techniques for laboratory and field work with plant-parasitic and free-living soil-dwelling nematodes. Written by an international team of experts, this book is extensively illustrated, and addresses both fundamental traditional techniques and new methodologies. The book covers areas that have become more widespread over recent years, such as techniques used in diagnostic laboratories, including computerized methods to count and identify nematodes. Information on physiological assays, electron microscopy techniques and basic information on current molecular methodologies and their various applications is also included.

The spiral plant-parasitic nematode genus Rotylenchus contains a cosmopolitan group of nematodes that is predominantly found in temperate regions of the world. In this genus are included a number of species of significant economic importance in agriculture. They parasitize a wide-range of hosts, including vegetables, ornamentals, and fruit and forest trees. The book comprises seven sections and presents summarised and specialised information on various aspects of the spiral nematodes belonging to the genus Rotylenchus. Sections 1 and 2 describe the importance of Rotylenchus species in agricultural crops, their distribution and numerous aspects of their biology, feeding habits, pathogenicity to vegetables, fruit and forest trees, and ecology. Section 3 presents different management strategies for the most important and pathogenic species of Rotylenchus, including chemical control, crop rotation, and biological control by means of nematophagous fungi, entomopathogenic nematodes, the hyperparasitic bacteria Pasteuria penetrans, and nematicidal plants. Sections 4 and 5 describes the most important morphological characters used in characterising and diagnosing species, as well as a broad discussion on the taxonomy and systematics in Rotylenchus and related genera, including a list of nominal species. These sections also include morphometric and cluster analyses in order to separate groups of species in order to facilitate identification. Section 6 provides a complete description and measurements of all populations characterised for each species, as well as their world distribution. Finally, Section 7 includes comprehensive tabular and dichotomous keys for species identification.

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.