Nematode survey of chickpea production areas in Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Random surveys were taken in chickpea fields in Rajasthan, which is an important pulse growing state in India. Infestations due to Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica were observed in sandy soils of Jaipur, Jhunjhunu and Swai Madhaopur both in rainfed and irrigated situations estimating 20-30% yield loss. Monocropping of chickpea supported higher populations of rootknot nematodes than cereals-chickpea cropping system. Heterodera swarupi was reported for the first time on chickpea and its incidence was recorded from Ajmer, Alwar, Bikaner, Jaipur, Nagaur, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Swai Madhopur and Tonk ·districts. The lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus thornei and Pratylenchus spp.) were predominant in north eastern region and were associated with Rhizoctonia bataticola. District wise distribution of pathogenic species are also provided.