Annals of Plant Protection Sciences

A random survey was conducted in black pepper (Piper nigrum) gardens of Wayanad District in Kerala state during 2015–16 and composite soil samples were collected from the root zone of black pepper. Several plant parasitic nematodes have been encountered from the rhizosphere of black pepper. Among them, Hirschmanniella sp. was found from four different locations of Mananthavadi taluk of Wayanad District, Kerala. An average 19 nematodes occurred in 100 cc soil. Hirschmanniella sp. identify with the help of morphological characterization. Effect of soil pH, soil type and organic content (%) on Hirschmanniella sp. population were also assessed. Maximum Hirschmanniella sp. were recovered from sandy (50%), followed by sandy loam and clay loam soils (25%, respectively), whereas Hirschmanniella sp. were occured more in acidic soil (75%). Hirschmanniella sp. is reported for the first time from black pepper rhizosphere. This nematode may emerge as serious threat to black pepper cultivation due to endoparasitic habits.