Study of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) in N.W.F.P. and Sindh, Pakistan.
Musarrat A. R., Firoza K., Shahina F.
Author Affiliation: National Nematological Research Centre, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan.
Pakistan Journal of Nematology 24 : 1-7
Abstract : An extensive survey on the occurrence and geographical distribution of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) in NWFP and Sindh, Pakistan was conducted during 2003-04. A total of 453 plant samples belonging to 19 species were collected from 36 localities of both provinces. Out of 453 samples, 246 (54%) were found to be infected by 2 species of root-knot nematodes. Samples include commercial crops, vegetables, ornamentals and fruit trees. Meloidogyne incognita was predominant with respect to both natural host range and geographical distribution, followed by M. javanica, on 19 host plants. Tomato, okra, aubergines, cauliflower, rice, fig, soyabean, maize, cabbage, chenopodium, banana, citrus, mango, pawpaw, sweet potato, sponge gourd [Luffa acutangula], sugarcane, tobacco and onion were found infested with Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica. Chamkani (100%), Khasla (76%), Akbarpura (60%), Baharan (77%), Barikot (79%), Dargai (71%), District Shergarh (77%) and Sukkur (70%) are highly infected areas as per frequency of occurrence. In aubergine, tomato and cabbage, infection level was high in NWFP and Sindh according to the scale used by Taylor and Sasser (1978).