Incidence of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne spp. in mango (Mangifera indica) and citrus (Citrus aurantifolia) in Tamil Nadu-A first record

Young plantationsof mangoand citrus showing wilting symptoms were examined in Tamil Nadu, India. Sampling of such infested plants has led to identification of root knot nematodes, Meloidogyne incognita and M. arenaria on the roots of mango and Meloidogyne indica on roots of citrus based on posterior cuticular pattern. These are new records in Tamil Nadu from South India. Incidences of wilt in mango and citrus are gradually increasing in Tamil Nadu and hence the role of nematodes which act as predisposing factors in crop decline needs to be further validated. Possibilities are open that the root knot nematode infestation in these crops would have occurred at nursery stage which expresses its symptoms of damage after few years of establishment in field just as in other fruit crops such as guava and pomegranate.