Effect of crucifers on the penetration and survival of Heterodera avenae in wheat

Abstract

The cereal cyst nematode, Heterodera avenae Woll., is present in five states of India viz. Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi. It often occurs in high population densities and causes serious damage to wheat (Swarup et aI., 1982). Chemical control is well known but is costly and thus an alternative method of control is practiced by intercropping Brassica spp. with wheat, although without the exact effect (Singh et aI., 1986). This paper provides some information on the effect of three species of crucifers on larval penetration and survival of the cereal cyst nematode on wheat.