Indian Journal of Nematology

Plant parasitic nematodes are one of the limiting factors for successful cultivation of banana throughout the world. Abiotic factors like rainfall, soil temperature and soil moisture plays an important role in population build up of nematodes, which in turn govern the damage caused by nematodes. Population dynamics of three most commonly occurred plant parasitic nematodes around the rhizosphere of banana viz. Helicotylenchus dihystera, Meloidogyne incognita and Tyelnchorhynchus leviterminalis was studied in relation to soil temperature, soil moisture and rainfall during 2010–11. Maximum nematodes population was recorded during the warmer months of the year with soil temperature ranging from 23.1 – 30.6°C, soil moisture ranging from 21- 45 per cent and rainfall being 102.9 - 509.9 mm; respectively. Minimum population was recorded during January with corresponding soil temperature ranging from 18.3 – 18.5°C, soil moisture ranging from 14 - 18.5 per cent and rainfall of 15.7 mm. H. dihystera, T. leviterminalis and M. incognita showed positive relationship with soil temperature, soil moisture and rainfall at both the site. Influence of soil temperature was more in fluctuating nematode population around banana plantation.