1Department of Nematology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-785 013.
2Department of Nematology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003.
Seasonal fluctuations of a predatory nematode Mylonchulus minor alongwith prey nematodes were studied at different depths in a vetiver field. Maximum population density of the predator was found at 10–15 cm and minimum at 0–5 cm depth of soil; its population attained annual peak during November January. More or less same pattern of fluctuations was observed for the prey nematodes. Temperature had a negative effect on the population of M. minor at 0–10 cm depth. High populations of the predator were found when mean atmospheric temperature ranged between 22.4–24.3°C. Rainfall did not have any significant effect on fluctuations of M. minor population at any depth.
Mylonchulus minor, Helicotylenchus dihystera, Rotylenchulus reniformis, temperature, rainfall, population density
