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Qualitative and quantitative analysis of major plant parasitic nematodes in 214 greenhouses associated with main crops (Sweet pepper, carnation, cucurbits, tomato and cauliflower) and 19 nurseries (various vegetables and citrus) was done in Himachal Pradesh during 2006–09. Study revealed the presence of three plant parasitic nematodes including Meloidogyne incognita, Helicotylenchus dihystera and Pratylenchus spp. in the main crops with their populations ranging from 8 to 5604 J2, 15 to 2560 and 5 to 795 individuals/200 cc soil, respectively. In roots, considerably high population of M. incognita (15–4288 individuals/5 g) was recorded as compared to Pratylenchus spp. (2 to 221 individuals/5 g roots). In nurseries, all the nematodes as found in the main crops were encountered with additional one more nematode i.e. Rotylenchulus reniformis. M. incognita was observed to most alarming. Avoidable losses due to this nematode in greenhouse tomato were estimated to be 11.31 per cent during 2008–09.
Greenhouse, Meloidogyne incognita, nursery, avoidable losses
