Cellular changes of Ginger roots induced by Meloidogyne incognita and Ralstonia solanacearum

Second stage larvae of Meloidogyne incognita induced variable number (5–7) of distinct multinucleated giant cells in the central cylinder of ginger root in the xylem parenchymatous cell opposite to the protoxylem poles along with hypertrophied cortical, phloem and hyperplastic pericycle cells resulting in gall formation. The giant cell nuclei and nucleoli were enlarged with dense cytoplasm. Cell wall thickening and wall in growths were present, However, in the combined infection of M. incognita and R. solanacearum extensive damage of cortical cells, giant cell colonization by bacterial inclusion, formation of cavities including rapid degeneration of giant cells were observed.