Dissemination and mode of survival of nematodes in dust storms

Dust trapped at a height of 5 m above ground ina residential area contained a number of nematode species including rhabditids (63 per cent), tylenchids (18 per cent), a few dorylaims and others. The tylenchids included species of Meloidogyne, Rotylenchulus, Tylenchorhynchus, Telotylenchus and Pratylenchus. The nematodes in coiled anhydrobiotic state were reactivated when kept in water while most of the straight ones failed to revive. Of the coiled nematodes about 60 per cent of the rhabditids and 40 percent of the tylenchids could be reactivated when extracted from the dust after one year and kept in water for 96 hrs. The process of reactivation of rhabditid nematodes is exhibited.