Cereal cyst nematode - a constraint to wheat crop

摘要

Cereal cyst nematode is a very important nematode of wheat crop. It can cause heavy yield losses if it builds up its population and is very difficult to control. A large number of nematode species are known to be associated with wheat crop and out of these cereal cyst nematode and ear cockle nematode are considered to be the most important. Ear-cockle nematode is the causal agent of ear cockle disease ('Mamni') in which seed galls are formed and tundu disease i.e. with association of bacteria. Cereal cyst nematode is the causal organism of 'molya' disease. Though the population of cereal cyst nematode reduced in recent past due to rice-wheat cultivation in the state but during the 2003 survey studies conducted in the month of February and March its incidence has been observed again and that is from the field with rice-wheat rotation. It was recorded from the seven localities namely Bagha Purara, Ghall Kalan and Moga (Distt. Moga) Raikot, Boparai (Distt. Ludhiana) and Malerkotla and Vajidke (Distt. Sangrur). At Bagha Purana fields the clear cut symptoms of nematode infestation were observed. About 10 percent of the field showed patch of dead and stunted plants with narrow leaves. When the roots were uprooted and analysed, heavy population of white cysts were observed (upto 140 cysts/plant) and the cysts were identified as Heterodera avenae cyst At Raikot also the number of cysts was high (upto 90 cysts/plant). This is a very important nematode of wheat crop. It can cause heavy yield losses if itbuilds up its population and is very difficult to control. Therefore, there is need to pay attention to this nematode and check its spread at initial stages. The farmers should be aware of its incidence and have detailed knowledge about this.