The Rice Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne graminicola: An Emerging Problem in Rice-Wheat Cropping System Pankaj, Sharma H.K., Prasad J.S.* Division of Nematology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012, India *Directorate of Rice Research, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India Abstract The rice root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne graminicola has gained considerable attention during the recent times because of damage potential to irrigated and upland rice particularly under water stress conditions. The nematode has also been reported to infect basmati rice posing a major threat to food as well as economic security. A yield loss of about 21% in rainfed and well drained soil, and 16–32% in upland rice has been recorded due to the nematode infection. Besides rice, this nematode is infecting wheat crop in some of the major wheat growing districts of Northern India. The major factor for such high incidence of nematode infestation in these areas may be attributed to the presence of light-textured soil, availability of ample irrigation water and transplantation of infected seedlings. The root-knot problem in paddy can be managed by growing healthy and disinfested nursery, following summer ploughing and puddling of main fields before transplanting. Crop rotation with non-host crops like jute, mustard, chickpea and resistant varieties reduces M. graminicola infestation. Besides, farmers are advised to follow integrated management package against root-knot nematodes in rice-wheat cropping system. Top Keywords Meloidogyne graminicola, emerging problem, rice-wheat cropping system. Top |