Abstract

                                Root-knot is one of the oldest and most widely known nematode diseases of plants and occurs on the roots of numerous plants belonging to all families. Root-knot nematodes belonging to three species and one subspecies viz., Meloidogyne javanica, M. incognita, M. incognita acrita and M. arenaria have been recorded from different parts of India so far on a number of cultivated crops. The present paper summarizes the result of one year's preliminary survey on the occurrence and distribution of different species of root-knot nematodes on some important crop plants in Madras State. Five different species of Meloidogyne and one subspecies viz., M. incognita incognita, M. incognita acrita, M. javanica, M. arenaria, M. hapla and M. brevicauda are recorded from various cultivated crops. M. arenaria is reported for the first time in South India and M. hapla and M. brevicauda are new records in India. The survey has given clear indication that the root-knot nematodes constitute one of the most common nematode problems in Madras State.

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