On the species and pathotypes of Heterodera avenae complex of India

Eight populations of Heterodera avenae complex procured from Delhi, Haryana (Ambala, Mahendergarh and Sirsa), Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan (Jaipur and Udaipur) states of India were tested on 21 international host differentials for characterization of pathotypes. Delhi, Jaipur, Mahendergarh, Sirsa and Udaipur populations behaved as pathotype Ha 21. Reaction of Himachal Pradesh population was similar to pathotype Ha 31 and that of Punjab and Ambala populations to pathotype Ha 41. Detailed taxonomic studies revealed the existence of two species-Heterodera avenae Wollenweber, 1924 sensu stricto and H. jilipjevi (Madzhidov, 1981) Stelter, 1984. Ambala, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh populations belonged to H. filipjevi and rests to H. avenae.