Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Pratylenchus Species Occurring at IARI Farm, New Delhi with their Re-description

Root lesion nematodes, Pratylenchus species is next to root-knot and cyst nematodes in causing root damage to crops. The populations of Pratylenchus species were collected from the rhizosphere of different crops at IARI farm, New Delhi to determine the population diversity in Pratylenchus spp. present in IARI farm. The Pratylenchus species occurring on IARI farm, New Delhi could be differentiated into two different populations on morphological basis. The detailed morphological, morphometrical and molecular characterization of the nematode populations were carried out. Integration of morphological and molecular data led to identification of the two species of Pratylenchus as P. zeae and P. thornei.