Important Plant Parasitic Nematodes (PPNs) of Major Cereals in India and Their Management

Abstract

Cereals play an important role in meeting the objective of national food security. Among the different cereals, rice and wheat are considered major crops in India. These widely grown crops are affected by various abiotic and biotic stresses. Among the biotic stresses, plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) cause significant losses and affect their production. Among the PPNs, root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne graminicola L.), Cereal cyst nematode (Heterodera spp.), Seed gall nematode of wheat (Anguina tritici L.), Lance nematode (Hoplolaimus galeatus L.), root lesion nematode (Pratylenchus spp.), Tundu or yellow year rot (Rathaybacter tritici + Anguina tritici), rice root nematode (Hirschmanniella spp.) pose major threat to the cereal production. These nematodes do not produce distinguishable symptoms as produced by other plant pathogens. Yellowing, stunting and wilting eventually leading to plant death are the most common characteristic symptoms that may mislead. Therefore, the suspected plants should be uprooted for the presence of galls, lesions, cysts and nature of root growth, and the rhizosphere soil should also be processed for the presence of predominant plant parasitic nematodes. The objective of management of plant parasitic nematodes can be fulfilled by increasing the number of predators, parasites and pathogens in the soil by cultural practices and or by their introduction into the soil as biological control agents. An integrated approach is of paramount importance for achieving the ultimate goal of sustainable agriculture. Hence, the present topic appears to be very useful for the policy makers, plant protection personnel and students. © 2026 selection and editorial matter, Dinesh Singh, Rashid Pervez, and Anoop Kumar; individual chapters, the contributors.