Indian Journal of Nematology

The study focused on investigation of population fluctuation of Aphelenchoides besseyi on two promising cultivars (Calcutta single and Calcutta double), and survival and distribution of nematodes within the clump of tuberose. In field, the nematode species concentrated in maximum numbers in outermost scaly leaves and neck region of an infested individual bulb. More numbers of A. besseyi were recovered from the central bulb than obcentral and peripheral bulbs. Monitoring of nematode population during the growing period of Calcutta single and Calcutta double indicated that A. besseyi maintained high population at vegetative phase as well as in maximum flowering period. However, the nature of fluctuation between the cultivars showed variations; faster build-up of population in Calcutta single than that of Calcutta double. In two years crop, the peak population of A. besseyi was observed from July to September; the period when tuberose gives a good flush of flowers. During winter months (December to February) when average air temperature and relative humidity (RH) remained quite low with scanty rainfall, the nematode species displayed low population.