Incidence and intensity of root-knot on vegetables and identity of species/races of root-knot nematodes in some hilly districts of Uttar Pradesh, India

A survey conducted in eight hilly districts of Uttar Pradesh showed that above 50 per cent of the vegetable fields were infested and above 40 per cent root samples of vegetable crops were infected with root-knot nematodes. Eggplant and okra were most affected crops followed by tomato, cucumber and pepper. Meloidogyne incognita, M. javanica, M. arenaria and M. hapla were identified to be present in the area. M. incognita was the dominant species followed by M. javanica, M. hapla and M. arenaria. The species were found either singly or in mixed populations. Race 2 was most frequent in M. incognita populations, followed by race 4 and race 1. Race 3 was found to be least frequent. M. arenaria populations contained race 2 alone and its frequency varied in the districts, where it was encountered.