Plant parasitic nematodes associated with sunflower in Karnataka*

Fifty one soil and root samples collected from eight major sunflower growing districts of Karnataka indicated the presence of plant parasitic nematodes in vaying numbers. Major nematode genera encountered indude Rotylenchulus reniformis, Meloidogyne incognita, Aphelenchus avenae, Helicotylenchus multicinctus, Tylenchorhynchus dubius, Aphelenchoides sp., in addition to Hoplolaimus, Pratylenchus, Tylenchus and Xiphinema which were present in small numbers considered as minor nematodes. Among all the nematode genera Rotylenchulus reniformis was the most predominant associated with sunflower in Karnataka.