Pathogenicity of lesion nematode, Praiylenchus zeae, on maize

An inoculum level of 1,000 and above nematodes/plant significantly decreased plant height, fresh shoot and root weights of maize cv. Farm Sameri. Soil, root and total nematode population build up/plant progressively increased with increase in nematode inoculum levels from 10 to 10,000 nematodes/plant. Nematode reproduction rate decreased with an increase in inoculum levels. It was maximum (66 times) in 10 nematodes/plant and minimum (5.5 times) in 10,000 nematodeslplant. Uptake of various nutrients viz., nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulphur (S) was significantly reduced from the levels of 1,000 to 10,000 nematodes/plant.