Seasonal population fluctuation of foliar nematode, Aphelenchoides besseyi infecting Dendrobium nobile under Poly house condition

Dendrobium orchid (Dendrobium nobile) is one of the popular ornamentals grown throughout the globe. It has been observed to be one of the favourable hosts for foliar nematode, Aphelenchoides besseyi. In a two years study about its seasonal population fluctuation, it was observed that the nematode remains active on plants round the year under polyhouse condition exhibiting peak population (3272.5/leaf) during the month of July with temperature (28.8-31.2°C), relative humidity (84.3-87.4%) and minimum (492.6/leaf) in the month of January with comparatively low temperature (20.3-22.3°C) and relative humidity (57.0-59.4%), respectively.