A Guide to Introductory Nematology

Book excerpt: This book is designed for undergraduate agricultural science students, farmers and farm extension personnel to provide a comprehensive description of plant-parasitic nematodes. It is contructed with 16 different chapters comprising of: an introduction; a brief history of plant nematology; the economic importance of nematodes; general characteristics of a plant-parasitic neamtode; general morphology of nematodes; the anatomy of nematodes; the general life cycle biology of plant-parasitic nematodes; taxonomy/systematics/classification of major plant-parasitic nematodes; classification of nematodes based on feeding habits; identification keys for major plant-parasitic nematodes; damage symptoms caused by the nematodes; interaction of nematodes with other microbial pathogens; different methods of nematode control; prominent nematode resistant crop cultivars; the concept of integrated nematode management; nematode parasites of important agricultural and horticultural crops with their management practices; and fundamental nematological techniques. The introduction covers the definition of nematodes, history of nematology, the yield loss caused by nematodes, some important animal parasitic nematodes, and beneficial nematodes including nematodes used in insect control, weed control, and biological monitoring systems. The morphology and anatomy of nematodes are simply explained with detailed diagrams. The taxonomy classification structure based on evolutionary concepts are provided with major differentiation characteristics between important groups. The life cycle of different feeding groups of plant-parasitic nematodes is illustrated with simple illustrations. Identification keys and symptoms of nematode damage are described with suitable images. Overall, nematode control techniques available in literature are summerised briefly with suitable photographs wherever needed. The nematode pests, their symptoms and specific control measures for major agro-horticultural crops like rice, wheat, cotton, pulses, groundnuts, vegetables, potatos, bananas, citrus, grapevines, spices, medicinal plants and flower crops are discussed. The final chaper of this book presents some basic nematode techniques, including nematode extraction protocols, nematode fixing, and mounting techniques. Overall, this fundamental and easy-to-understand book will be particularly useful for students in the biological and agricultural sciences, agronomists, agricultural extension workers and farmers to enable them to gain more insight and equip them with knowledge to solve problems concerning nematodes.