Plant Nematology

Plant-parasitic nematodes devastate crops worldwide, in turn impacting international trade, social and economic development. Effective control of nematodes is essential for crop protection, and requires an understanding of nematode biology, taxonomy, population dynamics and sampling methods. Providing a broad introduction to nematodes as plant parasites, this book begins by describing nematodes by genera, and builds on this foundation to detail nematode biology and pest management, including biological and chemical control. Chapters are authored by international experts and enhanced by extensive illustrations and focus boxes. Fully updated throughout, this new edition is an essential resource for postgraduate students, extension officers, researchers and crop protection scientists.

Plant Nematology has been designed as per the guidelines provided by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. This book gives a comprehensive account of various aspects of Phytonematology, including both basic and applied, along with illustrations and descriptions. Fundamentals of sampling, different techniques in Nematology, traditional and molecular taxonomy, nematode anatomy and morphology, interaction with fungi, bacteria, viruses, mycorrhiza, and rhizobia, most common plant-pathogenic genera, historical accomplishments, biology and ecological details along with entomopathogenic nematodes, physiological and molecular Nematology are some of the major fields covered in this book. A detailed glossary of Nematological terms and diversified aspects of nematode management have also been furnished.

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.

This book gives a comprehensive account of all aspects of plant nematology and should be of profound help to the students, teachers, researchers and extension workers alike. The syllabus of ARS Net – Nematology has also been fully covered in this book. Hence, persons appearing for ARS Net – Nematology can also refer this book. The book is divided into eight sections. The first section describes the importance of nematodes in agriculture, presents a historical review, nematode as biological models, entomopathogenic nematodes, and lists the professional societies and their publications.Information on the nematological techniques is outlined in section two.The morphology of nematodes is described and presented in clear schematic drawings in section three. The taxonomic classification along with keys for identification of nematodes up to generic level is provided. In section four, the biology, physiology and ecology of nematodes are described.The host-parasite interactions and symptoms on aerial and under-ground infestation by different nematodes are described and depicted in many photographs in section five. In section six, the interrelationships between nematodes and fungi, bacteria and viruses are discussed.Management of nematode diseases by host resistance and by suppression of nematode population through regulatory, physical, cultural, chemical, biological, and integrated methods have been presented in section seven.The last section of the book discusses the most important nematode induced diseases of horticultural, plantation and spices, commercial and field crops and their management. The selected references provide convenient entry to both current and older literature. Very useful information in the form of common names of nematodes and a glossary of nematological terms are provided in Annexures. This book will give students, teachers, researchers and extension workers with an overview of the entire field of Plant Nematology.

Structure and function; Soil environment; Methods; Identification of plant parasitic nematodes; The genera of phytonematodes; Pathology; Ecology; Resistance; Control.

This book provides an overview (chapter 1) of the general biology, ecology and economic importance of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.), and covers in detail the following: general morphology (chapter 2); taxonomy, identification and principal species (chapter 3); biochemical and molecular identification (chapter 4); molecular taxonomy and phylogeny (chapter 5); hatch and host location (chapter 6); invasion, feeding and development (chapter 7); reproduction, physiology and biochemistry (chapter 8); survival mechanisms (chapter 9); interactions with other pathogens (chapter 10); population dynamics and damage levels (chapter 11); sampling (chapter 12); mechanisms and genetics of resistance (chapter 13); development of resistant cultivars (chapter 14); plant biotechnology and control (chapter 15); complete sequence of the genomes of M. incognita and M. hapla (chapter 16); biological control using microbial pathogens, endophytes and antagonists (chapter 17); current and future management strategies in intensive crop production systems (chapter 18); and current and future management strategies in resource-poor farming (chapter 19).

Plant Parasitic Nematodes, Volume III provides a comprehensive discussion of the different advances in plant nematology. This includes biochemical techniques to taxonomy and innovation in transmission and scanning electron microscopy technology. It explains a broadened basis for understanding nematode physiology and behavior and the sensory mechanisms that govern nematode actions and plant host-nematode interactions. The book discusses the development of modern approaches to the evaluation and reduction of crop losses. The emphasis of this volume is on plant parasites and insights gained through research on other nematodes. In particular, the book explains the anatomical, developmental, behavioral, and genetic studies on the free-living nematode Cenorhabditis elegans, which is a widely used laboratory model for examining various biological problems. The information provided by various researches on C. elegans increases our understanding about the relevance of nematodes to general biological processes in higher organisms, including man. The book is divided into 19 chapters which cover the following concepts of plant nematology: biochemistry, cytochemistry, and genetics; morphology and function; host-parasite relations; and evaluation and control of crop losses. The present volume is an excellent reference for students, lecturers, and research professionals in plant parasitology and related fields.