Community analysis of nematodes associated with different varieties of Banana in Kerala, India

A survey was conducted to study the community of nematodes in the rhizhosphere of five different varieties of banana viz., Poovan, Nendran, Red Banana, Robusta and Rasakadali at three months interval for one year. Nine plant parasites viz., Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White), Rotylenchulus reniformis Linford and Oliveira, Helicotylenchus dihystera (Cobb) Sher, Heterodera oryzicola Rao & Jayaprakash, Radopholus similis (Cobb) Thorne, Pratylenchus coffeae (Zimm.), Hoplolaimus indicus Sher, Criconema sp. and Xiphinema sp. were isolated and identified from soil and root samples collected from the rhizhosphere of five varieties of banana. Most frequently occurring plant parasitic nematode species in banana at Vellayani were found to be H. dihystera, M. incognita, R. reinformis and H.oryzicola. Nendran was found to be the most susceptible variety. H. oryzicola was absent in the rhizosphere of Red Banana and it was the least preferred host for other nematodes too.