Root Knot Nematode

Symptoms

Characteristic hooked-like galls on roots Newly emerged leaves appear distorted and crinkled along the margins Chlorosis and Stunting Heavily infected plants flower and mature early Reduction in number of tillers Size of the ear head is reduced with reduced number of grains
	root knot nematode
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	Identification of pest

	Adult females appear to be pear-shaped to spheroid with elongated neck, which is usually embedded in root tissue. The stylet is mostly 9-18 µm long with tree small, prominent, dorsally curved basal knobs. Infective second stage juveniles are short (0.3-0.5 mm) and have a weak cephalic framework. The tail tip tapers to a long, fine point with a long hyaline region.
Root knot Nematode

Root Knot Nematode
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Management Strategies
Cultural control includes continuous flooding, raising the rice seedlings in flooded soils, and crop rotation. Soil solarization with 50 – 100µ clear polythene sheets for 3 weeks before preparation of fields. Bare fallow period and planting cover crops such as sesame and cowpea has been reported to decrease nematodes. Rotation crop like marigold (Tagetes sp.) is also effective in lowering root knot nematode populations because of its nematicidal properties. Resistant varieties such as IR cultivars can be grown. Nematicides applied as soil drenches and seedling root dips or seed soaks to reduce nematode populations. Seeds can be treated with EPN and carbofuran. The roots can be dipped in systemic chemicals such as oxamyl or fensulfothion, phorate, carbofuran, and DBCP. Telone can be injected into the soil before the crop is planted.
	Resistant variety- IR 32

	Telone
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