PLANT PARASITIC NEMATODES ASSOCIATED WITH RICE IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

A nematode survey carried out in 1979-1980 in Sri Lanka indicated that Hirschmanniella oryzae was widespread but not causing much evident damage in rice fields. Morphometrically, females of H. oryzae from Sri Lanka have a shorter body and a posterior vulva compared to topotypes; conversely males are longer. Aphelenchoides besseyi was detected only in 27 rice seed stocks out of 200 examined. It was not found in the northern Province and occurred more frequently in the wet zone. However, it does not seem to be a major pest of rice in Sri Lanka.