Incidence of root-knot nematodes on tomato in Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan.

摘要

A systematic survey on root-knot nematodes (RKN), Meloidogyne spp.(163 soil and root samples) was conducted to study the level of tomato infestation in 25 localities of Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan. Nematode population in 20 g of roots and 100 cm3 of soil samples was determined by the sieving-cum-modified Baermann funnel techniques. The incidence of infestation was assessed by [(Number of samples with RKN 4 / total number of samples) x 100]. The perennial pattern of RKN showed the presence of M. incognita individuals or combined with M. javanica populations. A total of 86 (52.76%) out of 163 samples were infested with RKN. Twenty two (88%) sites were infested with RKN and only 3 sites were not infested. Seven genera, other than RKN, namely, Aphelenchus, Criconema, Helicotylenchus, Hoplolaimus, Longidorus, Pratylenchus, and Xiphinema were also reported. Meloidogyne spp., could be the most damaging nematode pest of tomato. The impact of nematodes on plant health and yield should be studied further.