Root knot nematode

Caused by: Meloidogyne Graminicola
Problem Category: Soil dwelling nematode
Symptoms: Nematodes are thread like soil inhabitant organisms that infect the rice plant.They start feeding on the roots cause hypertrophy, giving rise to typical gall or root knot. In the gall, the male and female nematodes present. The leaves become orange yellow, later turning dry resulting in yellow patches in the field. Affected plants show galls on the roots.
Comments: The gall grows and the male changes its shape in the last moult, fertilizes female and leaves the gall. Female lays eggs in a gelatinous matrix outside the root. Dry soil conditions are favourable for this pest.
Management: 1. Grow resistant/tolerant varieties like TKM 6, Daya, Ptb-10, RP-5219, JR-1124, JR-403, MTU 1390, Sugandha-3 and Udaya 2. Amendment of soil with water hyacinth compost
Control: 3. Application of neem cake @ 2.5 quintal /ha 4. While sowing /transplanting in fields with nematode problem, seedling root dip with Purpureocillium lilacinus or Trichoderma or Pseudomonas fluorescens helps in control of the nematode infection in long run. 5. Destruction of weeds is helpful, Crop rotation with groundnut, jute, wheat, potato and black gram reduces incidence.