The effects of pigeonpea cyst nematode, Heterodera cajani upon yields of pigeonpea and mungbean were studied under field conditions. In pigeonpea the reduction in plant growth and grain yield were 27.6 and 30.1 per cent respectively. The loss in dry matter and grain yield of mungbean respectively were 23.7 and 67.5 per cent. Mungbean suffered greater loss in yield than the pigeonpea under similar cyst population. Losses in dry matter and grain yield of mungbean were as high as 68.2 and 86.2 per cent respectively when plots treated with the nematicide consecutively for two seasons. The number of H. cajani cysts at harvest in the unprotected plots ranged from 122–143/100 g soil. The results suggested that the nematode control is warranted for preventing yield losses in mungbean and pigeonpea.
Crop losses,Pigeonpea, Mungbean, Heterodera cajani
